Over on the Caricature Carvers Face Book page, a carver ask the question that has been asked at least a thousand times on the best way to apply a finish to their carving. In case you don’t know my thoughts on the matter, here is my response to that question along with some added advice or notes.
The question: “Some of you folks already know the difference between these three in regards to coating a carving. I don’t, but I’m the experimenting type so that ignorance on my part isn’t going to last.”
“The difference if you compare the three as spray mediums is that there is NO difference! They all suck! You will never get an even finish with a spray….NEVER! Sure…if you’re looking for the convenience of not having to use a pry open a can and use a brush and then wait overnight for the proper medium to dry a spray might be the way to go. In a way it boils down to how much respect you have for your work! If you think it’s worth the extra effort to buy a small can of “Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane Oil-based Clear Satin Interior Stain ( Half-pint ), available from Amazon for $10.68, than that’s the best way to put the best finish to your piece that will be even and last for years. That half pint can will last for years where the spray can will no doubt be clogged up the next time you want to use it. Brushing the finish is the best way to go and Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart and Hobby Lobby sell the 1″ bristle variety for about a dollar.”
Now I’m certainly not a spokesman for Minwax products, it’s just that that is the best thing I’ve found over the past 50 years to use. Yes, back about 51 years ago I fell for the easy way out and picked up a can of the spray stuff and the result was exactly as I describe it above. There is just NO WAY you can get an even finish on a three dimensional carving. If your carving is perfectly flat with no peaks or valleys then maybe but in all my years I’ve never seen one of those.
So, once your new carving is finished and you’re thinking of the best way to apply the best finish to your new work, give it the respect it deserves. You won’t regret it!
Comments welcome!
That’s the way I do it because you said it years ago. Back in the time when you were advocating hair spray to clean paint brushes I still do that a couple of times a year. I can’t think of a single thing you’ve said that I can contradict. I still use the step by step photos I downloaded back in the day .how tedious that must have been. I learned to carve from your website thank you for all you have shared over the years. Arnie