fuzzies

[geb]

Hi Folks,

You folks are just full of good information and great advice, I enjoy the forum!

Can anyone tell me how I can get rid of the fuzzies that (seem) to appear only after I paint my humble creations. I try very hard to make a thorough check with magnifying glasses and when all looks well I proceed to paint or stain and low and behold the fuzzies appear at detailed locations, eyes nose, fingers, etc.
I usually wash the piece in an attempt to get it clean and raise any grain to be smoothed, this to no avail. I do not wish to sand my pieces. Does anyone have suggestions that would help these aging eyes?

Thank you,

geb

[TreeWizard]

Perhaps it's the wood you are using. I've found a big difference in northern and southern basswood. The northern is whiter than the yellowish southern and I seem to get fewer "fuzzies" with the northern.

You don't list where you are from, but if you are in the south and are buying basswood locally that could be your problem.

[Riverman]

Hi Geb, welcome to the group!
Bob

[Tom-H]

geb,

Course there is no substitute for "clean" knife and gouge cuts when carving. But since I seldom achieve this utopia, I sometimes do this, and it some times works.

1. Wash completed carving in hot water, and scrub with MEAN GREEN cleanser and a stiff denture brush.
2. Rinse
3. Apply shellac and let dry
4. Dry scrub piece with stiff denture brush

This some times removes the worse of the fuzzies.

But to get rid of the fuzzies in the bottom of knife cuts, some times I use a woodburner.

Tom H

[Mitchell]

Got any pictures? It's difficult to answer directly. You have gotten some good ideas already.

There have been other threads on getting rid of fuzzies....Look at the "Similar Threads" box with links at the bottom of the page.

[Claude]

It depends on what you mean by "fuzzies"... If you're referring to the little bits of wood at the bottom of a cut, then you'll need to check your tools for sharpness and concentrate on making clean cuts. If you mean an area where the grain is raised because of the paint, then after the paint has dried overnight, wad up a brown paper grocery bag and scrub the carving with the bag. Be careful not to scrub so hard the paint comes off. The paper bag has just enough of a "grit" that it will clean up the little areas of raised grain.

Claude

[SlowMover]

When I get a cut that has the fuzzies and I can't seem to clean it up by honing my tools...I use a 3M radial Sanding Disc, in a fine grit on it. You need to have a dremel-like tool to use these). The discs are a little pricy (around a buck fifty each), and I can't find them other than mail order from a carving suppy shop (Woodcraft doesn't carry them)...but they work great and depending on how much you use them and how hard you press..they can do several smaller carvings each before wearing down to a nub and needing replacement. Prevention is best..but after we screw up this is one way to lessen the fuzzies.

[Steve Reed]

I use a maroon sotch-brite pad mounted in my dremel. I go over the entire piece in lieu of sanding.
Just my opinion, others may differ.

[Dileon]

I had that problem, knew that a part of what was going on was that I am learning how to sharpen my tools. When I dragged my carving to the master carver down the street, his reply was Oh basswood does that. Finding out myself that my other woods do not fuzz....I like using basswood, but the heavy humidity here makes it worst. I use files, sandpaper, burn and everything else people have said. The best is to seal and sand, of coarse wearing a mask.

[chipmunk]

hi, put a real lite coat of sand-seal on the piece let it half dry then rub with pc. of brown paper bag that will rub down the fuzzys and the sand-seal will keep it down the pc. will have a lite finish paint -finish as normal that should solve your problems my 2cts there's going to be a lot of options from others