Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jason Anstey · 24th December 2006, 01:27 AM

Further to these comments I have restored a few old Japanese antiques and use the following methods.

When useing epoxy, I will add very fine sawdust from the wood I intend reparing, this will hide the plastic apearance of the epoxy, and depending on the type of wood this will often create a good match, if not as alan said a very fine artists brush and oil paints mixed to the correct hue will hide further.

In finishing I always use Urushi Lacquer, It is a natural lacquer that comes from a rare tree that is found in Asia and South-east asia. THis stuff is natures superglue and was once used to fix arrow heads onto the shaft. Having said that it is the ultimate in finishing wood, whether tinted or clear.

There is no modern finish that can compare and it actually improves with age rather than deteriorates, It is impervious to water and most solvents. Very scratch and chip resistent. Recently a red hair comb was discovered on Japan that was found to be around 8000 years old. there was a crack in the comb and the wood core had completely disintegrated leaving a red shell.

So anyway, I have a couple of places that I purchase from in Japan and I will set you back about $30 for a tube that will last a very long time.

It is an art in itself using this stuff and it drys by adding high huimidity to a drying box, it cures in moisture.

If anyone is interested I can give you a link on where to purchase, you wont find much on method on the net, but I have made so many stuff ups over the years that I now know the best ways to use it.

If you love timber and grain as much as I do then this really is the ducks nuts.

Cheers

Jason

PS Nice repair job you have done there!

24th December 2006, 01:27 AM	#7
Jason Anstey Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 102	Further to these comments I have restored a few old Japanese antiques and use the following methods. When useing epoxy, I will add very fine sawdust from the wood I intend reparing, this will hide the plastic apearance of the epoxy, and depending on the type of wood this will often create a good match, if not as alan said a very fine artists brush and oil paints mixed to the correct hue will hide further. In finishing I always use Urushi Lacquer, It is a natural lacquer that comes from a rare tree that is found in Asia and South-east asia. THis stuff is natures superglue and was once used to fix arrow heads onto the shaft. Having said that it is the ultimate in finishing wood, whether tinted or clear. There is no modern finish that can compare and it actually improves with age rather than deteriorates, It is impervious to water and most solvents. Very scratch and chip resistent. Recently a red hair comb was discovered on Japan that was found to be around 8000 years old. there was a crack in the comb and the wood core had completely disintegrated leaving a red shell. So anyway, I have a couple of places that I purchase from in Japan and I will set you back about $30 for a tube that will last a very long time. It is an art in itself using this stuff and it drys by adding high huimidity to a drying box, it cures in moisture. If anyone is interested I can give you a link on where to purchase, you wont find much on method on the net, but I have made so many stuff ups over the years that I now know the best ways to use it. If you love timber and grain as much as I do then this really is the ducks nuts. Cheers Jason PS Nice repair job you have done there!