soapstone & alabaster sealing

["joncattan" <jon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Gary,

I have had some experience stonecarving in Zimbabwe
where I learnt their waxing technique. The Zimbabwean
sculptors have a soapstone or steatite which they call
Opal stone. They also have many types of beautiful
serpentines including an unusually hard serpentine they
call Springstone, which finishes jet black when waxed.
These stones don't have a sincere (SANS CIRE - without
wax) polish like finely abraded marble but need wax to
show the colours and veining.

They wax their sculpture with a cheap undyed clear
parafin based floorwax. First they heat the stone so
that it is too hot to handle without protection. The
heating seems to drive out moisture. They place carvings
around a bonfire or use blow- torches to heat the larger
stones. Then they use paintbrushes to apply the wax,
which flows easily around the carving. The stone appears
to suck in the wax but it is suprising how little wax is
used. Finally after cooling a very light buffing with a
slightly damp cloth removes any smears and 'nices'up
everything.

Here in the U.K, it is difficult to find such wax, most
household polishes are either dyed or they are silcone
stuff in a spray-can. However I have used NEUTRAL shoe
polishing wax and even plain candles with success. I
have used my oven to heat small work, hot air guns or a
blowtorch for larger work (take care not set your brush
alight!). Sculpture waxed like this will last quite well
outdoors according to your climatic conditions before
they need redoing. Here in the U. K. 3-5years.

Best of luck,
Jon Cattan.