Finished...at last

[Joy]

I finally got my sunflower clock finished and hanging on the wall. This is from the class I took with Charley Phillips this spring. I'm not happy with the way the center of the middle sunflower catches the light. It is the first thing I see when I look at it. I painted the piece with acrylics, then used BLO, Delft and then I waxed it. What can I do to remove the shine on that brown center?

[bbeery]

Difficult for sand paper to get down in the nocks and cranies but I'd try 1000 or even 1500 sandpaper first; fine steel wool (0000) would also be an option. Mineral spirits would probable take off the wax with out hurting the other protector.

[Robert Cahill]

If it were me I would leave it. I think it looks great the way it is. Trying to remove the shine may cause more grief. I think a shine in the brown center would be a positive factor.

Oh my - that is beautifl! I wonder if you might try a light brushing of some flat or matt clear finish just on the part you want to take the shine off? But it looks wonderful to me just the way it is!

AL

[knothole]

You have done a great job on the sunflowers they are beautiful!!! Bruce

[tnartist05]

Its looks beautifull!!!!! I love the colors! As for dulling it some,might try the mat finish BUTttttttttttttttttttt I would leave it as it is!! Its nice just how it is! Nice work.....Joy

[Lynn O. Doughty]

I'll say this knowing full well that I will be running up agains the woodcarving P.C. Police, but you just learned a lesson about wax. Once you put in on it's impossible to get completely rid of. If you're going to put on a coat of Deft other varnish it's really not necessary to use a wax Sure, it makes it look nice for a while but after a few weeks or months the wax loses it's moisture and turns gummy. Just look at the inside of an old can of shoe polish and you'll see what will happen to the wax you just put on your carving.

To get rid of the shine here's what I'd do.

Wash off the wax as much as possible with some mineral spirits being careful not to rub too hard so you don't mar the finish. Then go down to a hobby shop and buy a can of Testor's Dul-Coat. You'll find it where they have the model paints. Comes in a little spray can. Lightly spray the areas that "shine"...wait till the first coat dries and then hit it lightly again. Works everytime!!

[dart]

Joy that's beautiful. Nice work.

[gene-messer]

Beautiful piece Joy .. I like it ...

[Kenny_S]

Nice job Joy. I use to use wax and found over time, the wax turned a littlegummy. buffing was an every few months job. Remove the wax, with mineral spirits, then use a Deft matt finish just on the center outside edges. That should take the shine off of that area. However, I like it and it brings your eyes to the flowers themselves instead of the over all piece.
Yes, Your eyes focuses to the shinny centers as you know where the problem is. I did not notice it till I read more of your post.