From:
Don Dougan <dondougan@zzzzzzzz>
Date:
Tue, 13 Dec 2005 10:18:44 -0500
Subject:
Stone staining - Soapstone
Hi John,
Quoted text begins.RE: "What is applied to soapstone is mineral oil, and it serves to
enhance the color." and "Traditionally the application schedule is once
a week for the first month, once a month for the first year, once a year
from then on."
End of quote.
Mineral oil would be kinda uucky!
I always heard what you said referring to linseed oil (the once a year
[for the rest of your life] saying was in applying linseed oil to wood
furniture, but I have always applied the same to stone), and it is what I
have always had my students who were working soapstone use.
Though I am not a geologist and I don't work soapstone all that often
myself, the oil does appear to penetrate into the stone and is
considerably lighter in color 24 hours later. Linseed oil dries (unlike
mineral oil) so although there is a degree of 'bleed' it eventually
stabliizes. When applying it the oil is liberally applied, allowed to
penetrate into the stone (or wood) for about 20 minutes, and then the
excess oil on the surface wiped away. Then it will take at least 24
hours at room temperature to dry, following which a second coat can be
applied in the same manner. Each coat lightens-up in tone when it dries,
and each succeeding coat achieves a slightly deeper tone - although the
degree of difference becomes less and less with each successive coat.
Three coats in a three day period seems to achieve about the darkest
finished tone the stone will take in practical terms.
I have used linseed oil finishes on North Georgia soapstone (light to
dark green), to Finnish soapstone (medium dark green), and to Virginia
Black soapstone (dark green).
Oil is best applied to polished surfaces to bring out the contrast
between the smooth surfaces and any textured areas. Because of the bleed
factor textured areas will be discolored near the edges, so re-texturing
those areas will be necessary after the last coat of oil has had
sufficient time to dry completely.
Oil is a traditional way of sealing dark-colored soapstone, but
light-colored soapstones are not good candidates for linseed oil because
the oil does impart a slight yellowish tint and darken with age. Boiled
linseed oil achieves a darker tone more quickly than raw oil, but also
tends to yellow more.
Oil can also be used on alabaster and other stones, but the same caveats
apply.
Good Carving to You,
Don
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