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Caring for your FINISHED OUTDOOR
Carving
Last Updated On: 04/09/01
What's
on this page:
general
info for outdoor carvings:
Placement:
We recommend you place your oudoor
carving in a protected or semi-protected location, out of direct sunlight. For example, a
covered deck or porch is ideal. Some shielding from sunlight and the elements will protect
the beauty of your carving. We DO NOT recommend placement of a DENNY'S WOODS carving in
direct contact with soil because of potential damage from insects. YOU SHOULD NEVER PLACE
YOUR CARVING ON MULCH. When it comes to carvings please remember that mulch is NOT YOUR
FRIEND! It retains moisture, and will cause damage.
If you have your heart set on an
unprotected location for your carving, don't despair. You can place it on gravel/flat rock
or cement but remember to place a protective barrier between the piece and the cement (see
the section on "MOISTURE" for details).
MOISTURE
(or, more appropriately "Protecting your
floors"): (or, more appropriately "Protecting your
floors"): (or, more appropriately "Protecting your
floors"):
New carvings WILL retain a
considerable amount of moisture. This is normal and will eventually dissipate. You need to
be aware of this before setting the piece onto any UNPROTECTED surface. This natural
moisture can cause discoloration to wooden and unsealed floors/surfaces. Therefore, we
suggest that you place a protective barrier between the carving and the surface you wish
to place it on. We have found that clear plastic sheet protectors work extremely well, and
are very inexpensive. Even grease resistant paper plates work well!
YOU MUST OIL YOUR CARVING
YOU MUST OIL YOUR CARVING
YOU MUST OIL YOUR CARVING
This is really not optional, for
minimal cracking or checking (another word for cracking) you MUST do this, to preserve the
piece. Did we mention that YOU MUST OIL YOUR CARVING?
OIL IS YOUR FRIEND. Don't panic-it's
not hard, doesnt take long, and we can come hold your hand. Actually, we'll just tell you
how to do it, but there's nothing to it...
Special
Care Instructions on caring for your outdoor ON-SITE carving:
Caring
for your OUTDOOR ON-SITE Sculpture
An ON-SITE carving is one
that we come to your location to carve. Usually, but not always, these
carvings are large and stationary like tree stumps. These instructions
are intended for the client who would prefer to finish the piece
themselves. For smaller outdoor carvings, please see the previous
section, "PreFinished Outdoor Carvings".
CLEAN-UP
Remove the saw dust from around the
piece. Wash down the carving with water from a garden hose to remove any
imbedded saw dust from the carvings detailed areas. Allow the piece to
dry overnight if possible.
REMOVING
SPLINTERS AND SEALING
Lightly burn the carving using an
acetylene torch. this removes any wood splinters and when applied to
specific areas may also provide natural coloration to the piece.
SANDING
Sand using a flap sander to smooth any
rough areas and to achieve the desired texture and color. NOTE: Be
careful not to remove any of the detail of the piece as the details can
only be replaced by re-carving.
COLOR ENHANCEMENT
OF THE WOOD SCULPTURE
The wood carving may be color enhanced
using natural color washes. the application of washes allows the natural
beauty and wood grains to show through while emphasizing specific
details of the carving. This is a highly specialized technique and is
unique to the piece being treated. Most coloring should be done prior to
preserving the piece.
TREATMENT
OF YOUR WOOD CARVING
(or,
"OIL IS YOUR FRIEND")
This is the part we said we'd hold
your hand for..
Treat the freshly carved wood with
natural wood preservatives. Be certain to always use oil-based
preservatives. The freshly carved wood sculpture will absorb the oil
based preservatives readily. The more of the preservatives the wood
absorbs the better for the piece. Preservatives should be applied per
our recommended care schedule (see below).
NOTE: Once a sealant (polyurethane,
varnish or tongue oil) is used, the piece will no longer absorb the
preserving oils so WE DO NOT recommend such sealants for most pieces.
However outdoor pieces may be treated with marine varnish.
DENNY'S WOODS RECOMMENDED
FORMULA FOR PRESERVATION OF YOUR OUTDOOR CARVING:
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4 PARTS LINSEED OIL |
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1 PART MINERAL SPIRITS |
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WOOD -BORING INSECTICIDE (AMOUNT
RECOMMENDED BY MANUFACTURER) |
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1 PART OIL BASED PRESERVATIVE WITH
COPPER OR ZINC NAPTHANATE |
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example:: Cupranol or Sikens |
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Apply the mixture with a brush or
hand-held sprayer. Adjust quantities according to size and dryness of
the piece. The mixture should be applied according the following suggested
intervals:
- Once A Day For A Week
- Once A Week For A Month
- Once A Month For A Year
- And Once A Year For The Rest Of The
Carvings Life
Note: ALWAYS USE PROTECTIVE CLOTHING,
EYEWEAR AND GLOVES WHEN HANDLING INSECTICIDES AND PRESERVATIVES. FOLLOW
MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATIONS AND SEEK PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
IF NEEDED.
WHEN USING COPPER OR ZINC BASED
PRESERVATIVES, READ MANUFACTURERS RECOMENDATIONS CONCERNING GROWTH OF
NEARBY PLANTS (THESE PRESERVATIVES RETARD THE GROWTH OF BIOLOGICALS SUCH
MILDEW WHICH MAY DARKEN THE PIECE).
Free counters provided by Honesty
Communications.
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