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| I have a large, triptych made of monkey wood.
I admit I have no idea what that is, but it's out of Indonesia. The carving has a white wax on it.
I appreciate the help!
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Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by bobsmyuncle (My Page) on Fri, Aug 3, 12 at 11:13
| I don't know if this is what you have, but there is a treatment called "dusty wax" that tends to work like a glaze. It's a mixture of wax(es), pumice and solvent to make it liquid. I've had to remove some of it and it's not fun. Using mineral spirits or naphtha on a clean rag will remove a lot of it. Keep the rag on a clean surface or use paper towels. You may need to use a soft brush like an old toothbrush to get into the crevices. However, it's very difficult to remove it all. Once the MS flashes off, you can buff with a dry cloth. At this point, I normally pull out a can of dark colored wax and apply it, then buff with a soft horse-hair brush like a shoe brush. That will conceal what's left on a dark wood. |
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| Looks like that's what I'm going to have to do. I really like this carving, but the white wax actually makes it look pink. And we just can't have that. Thanks! |
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| Bobsmyuncle, I just went to look at it and discovered the wax is so thick that some places I can scrape it off with my fingernail. The crevices are end grain and it's way soaked in. I think I have a huge project ahead of me. I'm wondering if I could warm it somehow and work in a darker wax. Actually, in this 100degree+ heat, I could just take them outside. Something to think about. |
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- Posted by bobsmyuncle (My Page) on Fri, Aug 3, 12 at 17:44
| Not that it makes any difference, but I mis-typed. Dusty wax has rottenstone, not pumice, in it. Most waxes liquify about 150F. |
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- Posted by sombreuil_mongrel (My Page) on Sat, Aug 4, 12 at 8:35
| A heat gun should boil the wax right out of the pores, and perhaps vaporize it. But wipe away what you can; then, finally, scrub with a toothbrush and solvent (mineral spirits, naphtha) and it should be de-waxed. Casey |
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| Casey, is a heat gun one of those torches? or can it be as simple as a blow dryer? |
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| Heat guns are the 'big brothers' of hair dryers. Some models can get over 1,000 F. |
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