How To Clean Soapstone Carvings

Soaking a cloth in vinegar should help this situation.

How to clean soapstone carvings. It brings out the stones colour protects it from scratches and gives it that glassy look. Like wood soapstone has a tendency to absorb oil. Carving from the oven using gloves.

Be sure to gently rub the sandpaper onto the carving at the exact location of the scratch to remove the thinnest layer of soapstone and buff out the scratches. Melt the bees wax onto the carving by holding it against the hot stone. A light dusting with a soft cotton rag and soft brush for hard-to-reach areas is often all that is necessary to keep stone carvings clean.

A large Chinese soapstone carving of Taoist immortals late 19thEarly 20th century depicting nine immortals including Shou Lao in the upper centre each immortal separately carved and fixed to the rocky base 345 cm high 34 cm wide 5 cm deep. Mix just a few drops of mild detergent with water in a small dish. Moisten a soft cloth with the cleaning mixture and rub it over the surface.

How to Clean a Soapstone Sculpture Sep 2012. Things youll needconcentrated degreasermild scrub padwet vac and squeegee optionalbucket of water and large spongedenatured alcohol in spray bottleclean. Periodic application of mineral oil will help it develop a dark patina and enhance the natural aging process of your soapstone.

Cleaning Your Soapstone. For any deeper scratches they can be sanded out with fine sandpaper and then the oil can be reapplied. Make sure you support any area youre dusting since soapstone is so soft.

We will be applying the oil by hand and will use the heat of our hands to help with the absorption process. Hold on to your carving as wet smooth soapstone can be very slippery. Tung oil or furniture polishing oil.