advice please on a finish

[schaf]

Hi, i have carved piece of camphor laurel, or should I say several pieces that are to be buried in sand.
Any suggestions on the type of finish that would be best or should I just leave the wood in its raw state.
Any advice would be appreciated.

Regards
Terry

[schaf]

Come on guys. someone must have a opinion on this problem I have.

[munruben]

Probably best would be a coating of Shellac and finished with U-Beaut's Traditional wax

Good luck.

[wisno]

The finishing is really depend on your need. If your wood carved is going to be placed in the outdoor, you need the outdoor finishing material.

I think you use the spar varnish. It quite easy to be applied on with good result.But you have to make sure your wood is already dry before start working on your wood.

The splitting is caused by the wood movement when it release its water inside.

EDIT: Link removed by moderator.

Good luck

[schaf]

Thanks guys.
I use ubeaut white shellac on all my indoor carvings ( a suggestion from Neil some time back) and any going in the garden are coated with a marine varnish, so I understand what you both are saying.
In this case ,the carvings are going to live under the sand, maybe wet sand at times.
Today I buried a sample with 1/3 covered with varnish 1/3 with shellac and 1/3 plain raw wood.
Now it looks like it is just a waiting game to see the results.

Thanks
terry

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

I suspect that - unless it's buried very deeply in the sand - it's going to end up as raw timber anyway.

To me the question wouldn't be so much "what finish is best" as "which finish looks better when it's partially sandblasted."

[schaf]

Good point Skew, Gee have not heard your mane for a long time , must travel in different sections of the forum.
Skew, this material will be maybe 300 mm deep and dug up and reburied many times buy many school kids.
The carvings are of eyptian gods and I do not want to see them fall apart in a few months.
Only done one sofar but will post a photo when I have a few together. I think about ten in total

Terry