Keeping polished Antler clean.

[Herr_Mingus]

hi chaps

ive just started working with antler and im wondering if theres anything i can treat it with to prevent it from picking up so much dirt once its had its final polish.

cheers

Nathan

[MushiSushi]

what are you polishing it with? .....do you mean just sanding it or are you using any kind of hardening wax polish?

I think the ultimate would be to soak it in a very low viscosity, slow set clear epoxy and then wipe away the excess and leave to set, but you then have the problem of it looking a bit "plasticky"

[Herr_Mingus]

thanks 4 ure reply mushi

im just polishing it with wet and dry , but its picked up alot of dirt from just general handeling

[MushiSushi]

I'm sure Colin and others will be able to give you more traditional wax methods for stag.

Or try a search for stag and you might find some stuff of interest

[Herr_Mingus]

cheers mushi

[Trond]

If you use 1500-2000 grit and then polish, and the handle is in the outer layer of the horn, you can just use a moist cloth and whipe of the dirt, if you have entered the "marg" (Help with translation someone?) the material is not smoth and you need to seel the material with something me thinks

[MushiSushi]

OK done a little looking and a good drying oil will work as well as some hard waxes (oil then wax)..... ren wax seems a favourite ..... i've also found reference of epoxies and superglue being used ...... I'd steer clear of superglue though ..
for waxes and finishes see here;
oils
http://www.axminster.co.uk/default.asp?sub=266
waxes
http://www.axminster.co.uk/default.asp?sub=264
more finishing
http://www.poolewood.co.uk/acatalog/Finishings___Woodturning.html
ren wax
http://www.flints.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000001.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2eflints%2eco %2euk%2facatalog%2fFlints_Online__Yacht_Maintenanc e_Products_114%2ehtml&WD=ren%20wax&SHOP=%20&PREVQUERY=SS%3dren%2bwax%26PR%3d%2d1%26TB%3dA%26SH OP%3d%20&PN=Renaissance_Wax%2ehtml%23aPAT244#aPAT244

[Kevin]

...if you have entered the "marg" (Help with translation someone?) ......


Maybe you mean 'pith'.....or 'marrow'?......


You could consider trying a non gloss satin finish wood sealing varnish.....you can get it in a can and spray it to help seal it.

[MushiSushi]

cheers Kev ... that reminded me of something else .....

Nathan this stuff is a very watery 1 part polyurethane ..... if you have instability in the material, like marrow, this would work to stabilise it
http://www.cfsnet.co.uk/acatalog/CFS_Catalogue__Bonda_Wood_Hardener__192.html

[Herr_Mingus]

cheers guys ill have a good look into that stuff