Thread: Clear coating of natural scale materials

I wonder if anyone has experience in coating Ivory, mop, abalone scales, esp those with metal liners? I have been working on some and do not want to mess them up! I wonder about CA or acrylic? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

Well, I have had this question up for days. No takers?
I seem to be on my own on this so I am experimenting on broken scale bits with CA. Seems to work well so far. Need to sand and recoat, sand and polish.
Still, if anyone can comment, I would appreciate it!

The only natural scales I've worked on are horn, bone and Ivory. All I do is clean them, run the micro-mesh pads from 1500 through 12000 (if needed) and put on a little renaissance wax. Seems to hold up just fine. Good Luck.

Originally Posted by Sailinblues

The only natural scales I've worked on are horn, bone and Ivory. All I do is clean them, run the micro-mesh pads from 1500 through 12000 (if needed) and put on a little renaissance wax. Seems to hold up just fine. Good Luck.

I am hip to that, Sailinblues. I have created a Frankenstein Ivory/pearl scale and want to clear coat it for consistancy. I have discovered that the CA makes ivory shine! So does a polish and renaissance wax! Thanks so much! I love your SOTD posts, by the way

I'm just wondering why you would need to coat these materials. Pretty sure the ones I've seen in the past weren't coated.
This guy used to do a few : http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...-finished.html

I can tell you Ivory is never coated. An application of oil a couple times a year left on maybe 20 minutes and then wiped off and it will wear well forever.

What kind of oil would you use?

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I can tell you Ivory is never coated. An application of oil a couple times a year left on maybe 20 minutes and then wiped off and it will wear well forever.

I understand and agree with you.But, what if it WERE coated? I am finding out!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

I understand and agree with you.But, what if it WERE coated? I am finding out!

Ivory has been carved and used for centuries uncoated. So what is the reason to coat it? It is a natural material and needs to breath and over time will develop a patina. If it's shine you want get some cape cod polishing cloths and some elbow grease and you can make them shine like a diamond.

I use walnut oil. It's not left on so it doesn't really soak in. It just hits the very outer layer. You quickly wipe it off.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

I'm just wondering why you would need to coat these materials. Pretty sure the ones I've seen in the past weren't coated.
This guy used to do a few : http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...-finished.html

I am starting to understand why my post was not answered! YES I do agree that natural scales generally are not coated. I am making some scales from old bits of ivory and pearl and want to coat them for consistancy and maximum shine! Many thanks for your response and a great question as well.