Hi Gang,
Just found a product that you might be interested in for finishing your carvings. Its called Polycrylic and it is made by 'Minwax' it is an ultra fast dying finish that works fabulous on bark carvings. It is water based so it cleans up real easy and is dry in about 30 minutes. It comes in four finishes I tnink they are matt,clear gloss,gloss, and satin. I discovered it by accident I was a guest on the TV show 'In the Workshop' and I recieved a gift package in the mail with this in it so I gave it a try. The 946ml can sells for $16 ( Canadian). I dont know if it will work on painted surfaces but I do know it works great in bare wood. It works a little like 'Deft' but doesnt have that dull finish deft has. As I said it works great on bark carvings it even firms up the carving and makes it less brittle.
Just thought you might like to give it a try.
Colin

[Kenny_S]

Thanks Clin for bringing this up.

I used the Miniwax Polycrylic on my kitchen cabinets last summer. I was going to replace the cabinets but found real nice oak under the yellowed finish. The little bride and I striped the finish on 43 doors and drawer plus the frame. Found a Pickling technic was also use and poly over it , hence year after year, yellowing became the norm on theses, cabinets. Anyway, after the stripping and sanding, we used a miniwax pentatrating Colonial Oak stain and then used 3 coats of the Polycrylic as a finish. My little bride used browb paper sacks wadded up to smooth down each coat before applying another coat. Supposedly, This should not yellow as bad. At least on thing is for sure, we save several thousands of dollars in this process.
I have use polycrylic on some smaller carvings and found that you better not over brush it. Another thing, Stir the can and no shake it to mix. Shaking creates air bubbles and that will transfer to the piece when brushing it.
What I also found was it kind of left a plastic look on some and on other it didn't. For the life of me, I haven't figered out what I did wrong or right to get the different look.

Best to you and speedy recovery.

[Kenny_S]

My apologies for misspelling you name Colin!
The old fingers,ain't what they use to be.
My mind either as far as that goes. Anyway that is what the little bride keeps sayin. : . Her favorite saying is,' Have you lost your mind'! After 34 years with her, I suspect so.
Really, she is a keeper for sure! My best buddy!

thats ok Kenny you can call me anything you want just dont call me late for dinner.
Colin

[woodenleg]

I believe the water based finishes will not discolor (yellow) like the oil based ones will no matter how you put them on. That is one of the their advantages.

I have been putting this on all my pieces, buy it at Home Depot, have applied it over painted areas too with no problems. Coffeeman

[Kenny_S]

Do you sand between coats. I use brown paper sacks but I do not like it on carvings. May be the type of wood I have used. Love it on the kitchen cabinets.