Thread: What finish/coat should go on oosik?

If anyone has experience with finishing scales made from oosik (or any other bone, I guess) could you lend me some advice? I've made scales that are part oosik; they are much like Bill's as seen below. I'm wondering what I use as a finish on these scales. Is CA glue going to be good/strong enough to fill in the oosik vessels? I've heard something about using epoxy, does anyone know about this? Thanks for any feedback.

Generally there is no need to cover bone with a finish.

I use System3 MirrorCoat when something like artwork that needs to be sealed and protected on top of the bone. At that, I do not coat the inside face of scales, only outboard sides. When cooler like now, I put a space heater in the 2nd bathroom, all supplies in there along with scales, crank up to 80 degrees or so for 24hrs, coat and leave another 2-3 days before next work cycle.

This is a thick epoxy resin that leaves a very crystal clear finish. The bone does soak it up in spots and multi coats end up being used. They carry in house at Woodcraft if a store is near you, or can be ordered online via many vendors.

I remember Sharptonn recently was working on CA of ivory bits and pieces, at this discussion

As mentioned above, there is no need to put a finish over it. I wouldn't ever put a finish on ivory either...but I like to literally feel the natural material. I have put Renaissance Wax on some plain bone scales to try and keep any oil absorbtion away from them.

Wow ... fine scales

I work and deal in Ivory,bone and oosik on a daily basis.
The only finish I would recomend is several coats of Renaissance wax,followed by occaisional applications of mineral oil.
Such materials need to expand and contract with humidity levels or they will over time start to crack.
scales look fantastic.

For what it is worth I like Ren Wax also. All the bone and horn that I have seem to like it very much.

Take Care,
Richard

Latex?