[ASK]How to prevent further wood carving cracks?

[masak_aer]

As you can see below, i bought this beautiful piece of art, hand-carved wooden art. Sadly the back of the carving is showing signs of cracks. How do i prevent further cracking? Is there anything i can use to keep the art object in good condition? The wood is untreated and not as hard as the cherry.

Thanks for any suggestions....

 

[stratman]

Is the environment where the statues are subject to rapid or extreme temperature/humidity changes? That is the cause of splitting in wood 99% of the time. If you have them near an a/c outlet I suggest you move them to an area with less direct air circulation. Dry, hot air is a primary cause of splitting. Spraying the statues with a clear sealer will help stabilize the wood. Pm if you need more help.

 

[mtrycrafts]

As you can see below, i bought this beautiful piece of art, hand-carved wooden art. Sadly the back of the carving is showing signs of cracks. How do i prevent further cracking? Is there anything i can use to keep the art object in good condition? The wood is untreated and not as hard as the cherry.
]

Also, it may not be preventable if the wood used for the carving was high in moisture content when it was carved. The wood wants to reach equilibrium even in an ideal location.

 

[stratman]

Also, it may not be preventable if the wood used for the carving was high in moisture content when it was carved. The wood wants to reach equilibrium even in an ideal location.

Correct, but from what Masak pm'd me I believe it's an enviroment (location) issue. If the wood was green when carved.......well let's just hope not.

 

[masak_aer]

The wood wasn't green when it was carved. When i look at the bottom of the carving, i can see the center core of the wood. The back of the carving was the closest to the core. I suspect that's also one factor?

 

[Johnd]

Is the question the "How to prevent additional cracks?", or is the question "How to prevent existing cracks from additional cracking?" If the latter, the best product that I've used, and I've been involved in cabinetry and restoration work for 18 years, is polyurethane glue. Inject it into the crack a bit shy of the surface as it expands a little, and it wont crack there again.

If the former, as mtry and strat have written, it is definitely a moisture balance issue. If you can seal the carving with tung oil without damaging the carving's value, I would do so immediately. Untreated wood that is not kept in a consistent environment will absolutely shrink and swell.

 

[masak_aer]

JohnD,
that will be a two part issue:
1. How to cover the existing cracks? (with polyurethane glue or shall i just use wood putty to fill the cracks per stratman's suggestions or may be combination of both?)
Polyurethane glue, i assume is available at home depot?

2. How to avoid more cracks? Using tung oil is comparable to polyacrilic?

Thanks to all.

 

[stratman]

JohnD,
that will be a two part issue:
1. How to cover the existing cracks? (with polyurethane glue or shall i just use wood putty to fill the cracks per stratman's suggestions or may be combination of both?)
Polyurethane glue, i assume is available at home depot?

2. How to avoid more cracks? Using tung oil is comparable to polyacrilic?

Thanks to all.

Are these artifacts valuable, i.e. antiques or historical? If you use poly glue or an epoxy the clear finish we talked about won't adhere to it, if you go with tung oil it will penetrate the wood but not the glue, if you go with stainable putty (FAMO-WOOD) the polyacrylic and tung oil will work, I would go with the polyacrylic since you're concerned with the statues changing color (amberizing)and tung oil will change the color. Tung oil is not compatible with acrylic.

 

[masak_aer]

It is not antiques nor historical. I got it once it was finished by the carver. The carving itself is so delicate and if it has to change color, i will not mind that much anyway. I am just concern more on the cracks.
So if i may set up the process it will be first covering up the existing cracks with the putty then using either polyacrilic or tung oil.

Since you bring up about the change of color by tung oil, now i am in doubt. May be i should take a better picture and you guys can make suggestions if i should retain the natural color. It is ivoryish color.

 

[stratman]

If you want them to remain light and new ivory looking then go with the polyacrylic, if more an antiqued ivory, then tung oil and FAMO-WOOD putty to match.

 

[masak_aer]

Great, now i think i got a better picture of what i need to do. This is exciting. I need to sand several teenie parts of it since it was tainted from my dark clothes when i put in my luggage.

 

[Johnd]

The problem I've had with Polycrylic (and any water or latex based urethane) is that does not penetrate the wood. So what you are left with is a surface coating (that looks like plastic to me).

If it were me, I would:
1) prep the carving as necessary (sand & steel wool);
2) glue the cracks with polyurethane;
3) stain as desired (I like dark); and,
4) seal with several coats of tung oil.

The tung oil will darken the object a little, but it fades in time and needs to be replenished every so often. It can also be topcoated with lacquer or urethane if you like.

The best way to get depth of color in wood is solvent-based products. The best finish (imho) would be lacquer, it's just a bit more work. If you use a solvent based urethane, I would recommend thinning it a little for better penetration. Either method, I would still seal (several coats) with tung oil...it's very easy, just brush on and wipe excess off an hour or so later.

Cheers, and let is know how your project worked out.

 

[masak_aer]

I will post the pic of before and after. I plan to do it tomorrow morning while the missus is still in bed.

 

[masak_aer]

All done..

After getting all the great advices, esp.: Stratman and JohnD..thanks guys...
Here are the before pics:


And now, after all the hardwork..


I manage to bring the artwork to Home Depot. Per the advice from two staffers there, they figure that that famo wood would be too difficult to apply to the tiny cracks. Even if i could use it, i would have hardtime sanding it with all the intricate carvings. So i got the one as shown in the picture, similar to famo wood, just not as hard. Polyacrylic would not work very well with the delicate carving, so i use the danish oil. Tung oil will cause darker color change. Danish oil is the most natural-colored one available. Without both of you, I wouldn't even know where know where to start, so again..thanks a lot...

 

[stratman]

Great!!!Masak, you've got what you needed. Remember keep them away from drastic temperature changes (drafts.)


They look great.

 

[Johnd]

Anytime masak_aer. Nice work on a nice carving (It's quite intricate and highly carved). That's something to be appreciated by all who see it.

 

[masak_aer]

Great!!!Masak, you've got what you needed. Remember keep them away from drastic temperature changes (drafts.)
They look great.

Yes Stratman, I have to visit two different Home Depot to get what i need. Now I put it away from the window and the heater at home.

Anytime masak_aer. Nice work on a nice carving (It's quite intricate and highly carved). That's something to be appreciated by all who see it.

Yes, I love it!!!

 

[taty_asia12]

Masak_aer,
I came across this thread as I have the same issue with the sandalwood carving I got. You did a great job and your carving looks great. May I ask you what products did you use specifically and how you did it? I very much appreciate your response. Tatyana

 

[fuzz092888]

Masak_aer,
I came across this thread as I have the same issue with the sandalwood carving I got. You did a great job and your carving looks great. May I ask you what products did you use specifically and how you did it? I very much appreciate your response. Tatyana

This thread was last active in 2008 and the original poster, whom your'e asking the question hasn't been on this forum since 2010. You'd be better off starting a new thread, asking the question in a wood working forum, and checking the dates on threads to make sure they're current enough or you could be waiting quite some time to hear from someone.

Cheers.

 

[starlight]

hi, i recently bought an ebony wood sculpture from indonesia. got back home and the statue has started to develop cracks. everyday i see new and big ones. its a beautiful statue. i do not know what to do and how to stop furthur cracks. please help.