Weatherproofing basswood

[Dkulhanek]

I recently had a coworker say that she wants one of my carvings to place permanently on her mother's gravestone and asked if I could make the wood weatherproof without diminishing the integrity of the carving. I told her I would have to look into it. I know it is possible to weatherproof wood, but I didn't know if the type of wood mattered, in this case, basswood. Does anyone have any tips/tricks?

[Eddy-Smiles]

You could try some spar varnish but it still wouldn't be permanent. To ensure longevity it would have to be redone every year or so. Any kind of wood short of pressure treated is still going to be subject to the ravages of wind, rain and the sun.

[Buffalo Bif]

Even Pressure teated will deteriorate without regular treatment. I doubt you'll find anything permanent. You might be better off starting with a wood known for it's weather resistant capabilities- unfortunately none carve as nice as bass. That's why grave markers are made of stone, I guess.

How big a carving is it? Soapstone is supposed to be easy to carve, I hear.

[Dkulhanek]

I was think about a 6x6 piece of wood.

[carvingbarn]

Red wood, cypress, cedar and teak hold up well for outside use. Teak is hard to carve. They others are more carvable. Finishing with a BLO and a few coats spar varnish hold up well in the weather. But as Brian said nothing will be permit. Weather and the sun will take its toll on any wood.

[comreno]

Osage Orange and some BLO will work ok but you better be ready to carve with a jack hammer. Also the osage orange will turn a dark honey color over time.
Larry