Wet Walnut

[William]

I'm repairing a woodcarving for a friend that he bought in Mexico and he said it will tip over very easy and has had both ears a one leg broken and glued back on over the years. When I suggested a walnut base to match the color and make it a little more stable he said he knew someone that was cutting up a walnut tree for firewood and would bring me some of it to make the base. The tree was cut down about two months ago and still has moisture in it and I would like to seal it and prevent cracking.

1. I have plenty of old spray paint that will not be used on my projects, can I use it to seal the wood?
2. Should I paint just the ends of the logs that still have the bark on them?
3. I sealed the base that I made from one of the logs with a heavy coat of Lacquer Based sanding sealer and three heavy coats of clear satin Deff brushing lacquer, will that prevent the base from cracking while the wood seasons?

Bill
^v^

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Maybe hollowing out the bottom to relieve the pressure? I wouldn't put paint on it to seal it.......maybe "anchorseal"?

[William]

Thanks Dave, I did some checking and Woodcraft has it fot $20/gal. What should I do about the bark, is it a natural sealer?

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

personally I would peel the bark, walnut is too beautiful a wood to leave the bark on but that is my choice....anchorseal is a wax substance...

[William]

"personally I would peel the bark, walnut is too beautiful a wood to leave the bark on but that is my choice"
lol...Dave you are a real card, thanks for the laugh

I did a little research this morning with my wake-up coffee and found a few answers.

Question 1. Don't use enamel spray paint! use latex instead, it will slow the moisture loss but not as much as anchorseal so it should be applied in several heavy coats. My mother (82 years old) can't pass up a bargain and she bought a gallon of latex house paint last year from Home Depot for $3 and gave it to me but it's pink! ...I don't do PINK! but now I know what to do with the paint.

Question 2. Yes

Question 3. my concern now is that I may have sealed the moisture in, I'll see what I can find out about lacquer tonight.

Thanks for the anchorseal information, it's on my buy list.