Limestone

["John VanCamp" <jvcstnwrks@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Wendy.  some of the limestones I work with are soft and
absorbent.  (C-97 test ratings over 8.0%) For sculpture, my
preference is to treat them with a good impregnating sealer, and
to use enough coats applied at 24 hr intervals to completely
seal the stone.  Sometimes this takes 4 to 5 applications. For
architectural pieces in this particular stone, I also recommend
that my clients seal the piece after installation, and after the
grout has a chance to cure. Many of my clients will stain this
stone with a variety of items ( Coffee, tea, tobacco juice)
before sealing to "antique" the stone.  Home depot and lowes
both carry good penetrating sealers in their tile departments,
and also products that are more of a topical (surface) treatment
to give the stone a wet appearance or shiny surface.  As to the
possibility of texture wearing off,  that can happen,
particularly if the sculpture will be touched and rubbed a lot.

One thing about limestone outside, is that it will almost
immediately begin to protect itself by forming a surface patina.
Unfortunately, many people don't like this as it will eventually
turn dark gray or black, so they try to clean it off with
pressure washers or, even worst ,sand blasting, doing
considerable damage to the sculpture in the process.  Good luck,
JVC