[flute]

What do you use on a finshed carving for exterior use to protect it from rain, snow, sun etc? Please let me know the whole procedure as I'm new to this. I 'm making plaques for vineyards.

Thanks
Flute

[wade clark]

Flute,
C O O L project! Someone here will give you all the info you need, I'm sure. You can also go to SEARCH on this forum and type in EXTERIOR FINISH or other words that might help you find just the right answer in older messages on here.
Good luck! And post some pictures, we'd all love to see them!
Wade

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I believe Colin is the one to talk to...he does the tree spirits and has a particular brand he uses..sorry, can't remember the name?

[decoycarve]

We spray a lot of our stuff with Helmsman by Minwax. It is availiable at Home depot in a satin or gloss finish.

Goody

[AlArchie]

Wade is right on, "cool project"! A lot might depend on where you are.......if you are in the soutwest or even "Sunny California" where your work is exposed to a lot of sun, UV, and not so much rain and snow, it might be a good idea to check with a local landscaper and see what they use for that particular climate. Goody's sugestion on the Helmsman might work well, too. That stuff is made for marine use and has a high UV resistance. I've used it on my south facing interior window sills and it hold up really well. Lots of moisture, lots of sun, there, and the original finish deteriorated rapidly.

Al

[Ashbys]

For protecting the live trees, Colin uses Sikkens Cetrol1 and Cetrol 2 as both a stain and the sealer. It comes in a few different colors but leaves an outstanding finish. Last 2-3 years before reapplying is necessary. They also make a log home sealer which should work well.

Ash

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Thats it! thanks Ash,....ummm cetrol.....sikkens.....who would remember names like that? LOL

[flute]

Thanks a lot guys. But I live in the South of France near Cannes and these products cannot be found here. It's my fault really I should have known. But I do appreciate your trying to help. Now at least I know that there are special products for exterior use. Sorry for my bad English. I'm only a dumb French. Even dumber when it comes to carving wood. I've only just started but I love it. Can I just ask you another question? When you've finished carving, how do you get the little nooks and crannies all smooth. It's so hard to get the sand paper in there!

Thanks again for your help.
Flute

[BobD]

Flute,

There are a couple ways

The first is to make sure your tools are sharp in the first place. If your tools are sharp, then you shouldn't need to do any sanding.

The second is to use sanding sticks. Most carving supply stores carry them--they look like pencils with a band of sandpaper around them.

The third is to make your own sanding sticks. Shape a piece of soft wood or dowel to the shape of the area you need to sand, apply some spray adhesive to a strip of fine-grit sandpaper, and adhere it to the stick. Then you have a ready-made sanding stick

Building on the last one, place some plastic cling wrap (usually used for food) across the area you need to sand. Make sure it is smooth across the part you need to sand. Apply a thick layer (4-5 cm) of some sort of epoxy ( I use BONDO, which is usually used as body filler for cars) on top of the cling wrap. When the epoxy dries, pull it off the cling wrap an the carving, and you should have an perfect profile to sand out that area. Apply spray adhesive and sandpaper and you are set.

If it is a very small area, I use dental picks or small rifflers and files. If you have access to power carving equipment, the small sanding drums and bits work as well.

Hope this helps,

Bob Duncan
Wood Carving Illustrated.

[Ashbys]

Flute

Sikkens is also international,
http://www.sikkens.com/en/Countries.htm
This will tell you where you can purchase it in France. They do sell the cetrol, base and topcoat.

Hope this helps
Ash