need carvers help

[deblynn]

Hello. I'm not a carver but my father was. He is unfortunately no longer able to carve but has left a few unfinished carvings that I would like to hang on my walls. One of them is an uncompleted chinese dragon. The outline of the head has been started and the preliminary pattern has been shallowly carved into the wood. (I do not know what kind of wood--perhaps bass, in plank form?) I would like to highlight the shallow carving. The front of wood is fairly smooth. Would applying tung oil bring out pattern? There is small water stain on bottom of carving. I am waiting to make sure that it is totally dry before I make any changes. Thank you so much for any help you can give me. While my father's work is uncompleted, it is so beautiful to me. My family heirloom.

[whitecree]

Tung oil may bring out the grain a little, but you may want to consider a stain to really highlight the grain. I'm not sure what would work best on basswood, perhaps cherry? I think on bass that will leave a golden hue.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

basswood really needs a prestain sealer to keep from being blotchy, I am sure you could find some carvers/woodworkers in your area to help you....hard to know without seeing something, what is best route?

[Paul_Guraedy]

Due to the sentimental value of this carving, I would recommend leaving it as near as possible to the way the carver left it. Tung oil would be an excellent finish. Following the suggestion of Whitecree, try putting a small amount of a dark stain into the tung oil to produce an antiquing. It will not take much to do the darkening that you want. It will show the outline and the carving marks left by the carver. This will continue the theme of a carving left by a carver who is now gone. I suspect that this piece will become more valuable to his decendents than any of his "better" carvings.

[Callynne]

I think I'd try a little test on the back of the piece first, there is a good chance, like HiHo mentioned, of it taking the stain badly. I know I've had that experience with pine.

You could try it three ways:

1. Apply a little stain to a small area.
2. Apply a little tung oil to another area, let dry, apply your stain. (By the way, the very best way I have found to apply stain is to either put it on with a rag, like cheese cloth or something else that's lint free, or a brush, then immediately wipe off any excess.)
3. Apply some the way Paul suggested

It would be better to have three 'tests' on the back, than one ruined coat on the front! Good luck! I agree, it's going to be a very cherished family heirloom! Deborah

[AlArchie]

First I'd figure out what kind of wood it really is. Once you have that, and it probably is basswood, pick up some small pieces, either from scrap or the lumbler yard, and test a few of the above suggestions to be sure you are going to get the effect you want. You might even try one of the lighter stains, like golden oak, red oak, or natural pine. These can emphasise highlights without overpowering the piece.

Al

[deblynn]

Thank you all for your help. I am close to the Midwest Carvers Museum and perhaps should make a visit there. The back of the piece has not been sanded yet and I am afraid to experiment with anything there right now. In addition, there is a small amount of rough fretwork at top of piece that might not stain well (or may break off, as wood is soft). Off I go to Museum, then. My father would be proud to know of your generous help. While many of his pieces might be judged as primitive, each reflects his love of nature, life and humor. I am honored to have them. You are great! Maybe I should investigate lessons....

[whitecree]

By all means, take a lesson or nine. If your dad was a carver, chances are it runs in the blood. And even if it doesn't, I'm betting you'll have fun anyway!

[deblynn]

Let me purchase stock in bandaids first!

[AlArchie]

If you are heading to the Carving Museum, I'd bet they could recruit you really fast, and we'd have another carver on this site!
Al