How do I clean my newly carved owl head

[MAKNDAK]

I just feathered in the head of a barred owl and, from handling it I have created a mess with pencil marks, eraser markes, etc. It is dirty and unattractive.

I want to do a little woodburning on it and then finish it naturally. I want to clean it without sanding off all of the featherwork.


Any ideas from the experts who have , no doubt, experienced something like this?


Thanks


Dave

[carver6]

I always scrub them with a denture brush and "Simple Green" soap. Seems to remove all the oils and grime from being handled really well.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I put liquid soap in a sink and fill with water so the soap bubbles, I then dip an old tooth brush in the bubbles, (not the water) scoop up bubbles on the brush and scrub the carving. Hope this helps!

Dave

[Claude]

I use a bar of white bath soap and an old toothbrush. Dampen under the faucet, scrub with the brush and then rinse. You can dry it quickly with a hair dryer. If this raises the wood fibers and it feels rough, give it a good scrub with a wadded-up brown paper grocery bag and it'll feel smooth again.

Claude

[MAKNDAK]

Thanks to all of you for the helpful information. I will try it and get back to you. Most of the discoloration is due to the fact that I used carbon paper between two pieces of the carving in order to see where the high spots were. The head on this owl will set in a socket like a ball and socket so I will be able to rotate the head to any position. I have a similar woodturned wood version of this concept that I found while in Germany and have been fascinated with it since I bought it 6 years ago. If it turns out as I hope, I will post it in the future.

Again, thanks

Dave K

[MAKNDAK]

I had Simple Green so that is what I tried. It worked great. The head looks as good as it did before I started carving feathers into it.

Thanks again
\

[Big Barn]

Originally Posted by MAKNDAK

Thanks to all of you for the helpful information. I will try it and get back to you. Most of the discoloration is due to the fact that I used carbon paper between two pieces of the carving in order to see where the high spots were. The head on this owl will set in a socket like a ball and socket so I will be able to rotate the head to any position. I have a similar woodturned wood version of this concept that I found while in Germany and have been fascinated with it since I bought it 6 years ago. If it turns out as I hope, I will post it in the future.
Again, thanks
Dave K

Even if it doesn't work out (in your opinion), show some pictures anyway. Every attemp is a learning experience (for somebody).