How To Protect Soapstone Carvings
Hold the carving in one hand wet the carving and the sandpaper in a container of water and begin sanding.
How to protect soapstone carvings. I have antique Chinese soapstone carvings and they too can be marked with a fingernail. How to repair an African soapstone carving. For this reason cleaning with soap and water is strongly recommended.
You just have to handle it with care its pretty fragile stuff. Restrict the amount of handling you do as the oils from your hands can leave a residue. Soapstone can be finished with many products.
To help reduce the. It is safe to remove safety equipment while you are wet sanding. Even granite and quartz are used occasionally.
Use a soft cloth to keep it free from dust and if your sculpture has a lot of texture and crevices use a paintbrush to dust away any dirt that has become embedded. First use a dry lint-free soft cloth to rub the entire surface of your carving to get dust off. Periodic application of mineral oil will help it develop a dark patina and enhance the natural aging process of your soapstone.
Its hard to carve if you cant see. Flying chips of stone launch unexpectedly at your face during this process and can knock out an eye or a tooth says Princeton University. Wear non slip gloves such as latex gloves to support it and keep it clean.
Make sure you support any area youre dusting since soapstone is so soft. Enhance soapstone color with polishing and applying mineral oil. I have a soapstone carving that I bought in Zimbabwe.