[mikeg]

I've heard people say that they use paste was on their carvings. What exactly is that? Where can I get some? How do you apply it? Do you melt it or what?

thanks in advance,
mikeg

[BobD]

Mike,

I use a paste wax by Minwax. You apply it with a fine scotchbrite pad, wait a little bit, and buff it with a soft cloth.

Bob

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

The was style shoe polish works also. Bill Judt suggests sanding sealer followed by the wax or shoe polish. I use both minwax in the standard and dark varieties and different hues of shoe polish mostly clear, brown, and cordoban. I need to try the scotcbrite pad have been just using a stiff brush and/or a rag. The brush helps get in all the nooks and crannies. Believe it or not as simple as it is it's a permanent finish (well at least 12 years worth anyway don't have anything older than that). Just dust it off once in awhile and if it needs it buff it again. No additional wax needed.

[BobD]

I picked up the scotch brite trick from my dad, who is a cabinetmaker. He used to use 0000 steel wool, but it left metal behind. So he switched to scotchbrite pads...


That being said, I usually use it on a very smooth carving that has a natural finish. I'm not sure how it would work on a painted carving...

Bob

[Irish]

Johnson and Johnson makes a nice paste wax for hardwood floors that is easily obtainable at your local hardware store.

Susan

[Canopener]

I am probably over doing it, but I have picked up a little bit here and there over the years on this site, and now it is a lot. I mostly carve caricatures and woodspirits.
After painting or left plain, rub down with brown paper bag or maybe lightly with 320 or finer sandpaper. Apply several light coats of boiled linseed oil with burnt umber oil paint mixed in, [some people dunk in large container of BLO/ paint mix] wipe down in between coats with soft cloth, let dry several days, then work it over with paper bag or the scotchbrite pad sounds good also.
NOW, [IMHO] you are ready for the paste wax,[butchers/Johnsons wax] which usually comes in a big yellow can, or the shoe polish, or the many other products you can find in a hardware store, online, etc. I also like Watco liquid satin finish, but there are so many. Paste wax gives a hard shine, liquid satin is kind of liquid like satin.
Finish it up with a shoe brush, soft cloth or more paper bag.
In case you have not noticed, I love the bag method, it just kept popping up here on this subject.
Sorry to ramble.
Jim

[Irish]

Jim,

Paper bags and newspaper have long been a favorite of old time sharpening techniques as well as for a final sanding to a carving. Both papers have an abrasive quality. In sharpening, once you are done with your strop and honing compound get a sheet of newspaper from the Want Ad section. The Want Ads have lots of printed ink. Fold the paper several times then strop your knife across it. The newspaper gives that extra lick to the honing and the ink adds a polishing quality.

Susan

[artolver]

don't forget Meltonian shoe and boot cream, it goes on smooth and comes in many colors..
art

[tbox61]

Mike,

Here is my .02 worth. I have a customer that is a profession relief carver, and she uses Watco Satin Finishing Wax on her carvings. She paints with oils, seals with Boiled Linseed Oil, and then puts on the Watco with a small paint brush. It works great for her.

I have tried it on my carvings that I paint with acrylics. I seal with tinted BLO, let dry for 48 hours, and then use the Watco on it. You let the Watco sit for 20 minutes and buff with a soft cloth. I agree with BobD, paste wax on anything but a smooth carving would be a booger to try to treat.

The Watco further softens the acrylics and gives a great water- fingerprint-proof finish.

Tim

[Hugh]

This is mostly new to me, I want to be sure that I understand before I try this. I have a Common Merganser Drake smoothie finished. The head seems a little dull, would it be ok to put the min wax over the Acrylic Paint. ????? Thanks in advance.