Old Christmas

[Quarve]

In late 2009, I carved a whimsey Christmas. I had not much experience with finishing other than Min Wax stains, so I put off doing anything to it until now when I am embarking on improving upon this design.

I used Mixol Red mixed with natural Min Wax stain for the Santa hat and candle. The letters are Min Wax English Chestnut. The flame of the candle is Pearl Ex by Jacquard mixed with Min Wax natural stain.

The Silver Bells are Rub and Buff Silver Leaf and the Candle Holder is Rub and Buff Pewter.

I'll report back as I move on finishing this beast.
Roy

[kdispoto]

Re: Old Christmas

Very impressive carving - insane - but impressive.
Thanks for the showing it to us.

[Guest]

Re: Old Christmas

Great Job.

[idigjars]

Re: Old Christmas

Very nice. Paul

[Quarve]

Re: Old Christmas

Managing this 8' beast is an interesting exercise.

I finished some more of the Rub N Buff (Silver Leaf) Silver Bells and stained some more of the letters. I found that the Rub N Buff needs to dry and be coated with Poly as soon as possible -- not too quickly or the Poly will dilute the Rub N Buff and taint the wood that you want to stay clear. With the project being chains, the project folds and the Silver Bells rub off onto everything in its path. The Poly seals in the Rub N Buff and it does not rub off after the Poly is applied.

I put some Poly on the project down through the M.

Next on the list is staining the A (Christmas Tree) and the Star on top of the tree. I will use Rub N Buff Gold Leaf on the Star. I am torn between Pearl Ex pigments and Mixol for the stain for the tree.

The stains are easier to apply and add a better color than the paints that I have experimented with. The stains need to be coated with Poly pretty quickly as they tend to rub off onto wood that I would prefer to leave clear.

I'll let you know how it goes and what I use.

Roy

[Quarve]

Re: Old Christmas

I finally found an acceptable color for the A, or Christmas Tree. It is Pearl Ex Spring Green mixed with Natural Min Wax Stain. I still have to stain the Christmas Bells between the A and S with Rub 'n Buff Silver Leaf and the star on the A with Rub 'n Buff Gold Leaf, then Poly the whole project.

The problem with all of these stains is that when the project is folded to be moved, the unsealed stained parts rub off onto the other parts that it touches. This is true with not only the Rub 'n Buff, but also the other colors such as the red, yellow, and I suspect the green. Just something else to deal with.

Roy

[Quarve]

Re: Old Christmas

I finally got the last bells stained and the star on the A. It still needs to be Poly'ed to finish off the entire project. It is now 7' 10" tall. I think that the chain links added between 4-5" in length from the original basswood board from which it was created.

Roy