My first Queen Palm carving - Tiki Carving

SM Sunset Mike Tiki Socialite Sunset Beach, California Joined: Jul 08, 2009 Posts: 555	SM Sunset Mike Posted posted on Fri, Nov 26, 2010 11:39 PM The image is a queen palm tiki I did over 2 years ago. It's coated in Marine Varnish and holding up well. I think the real secret is to protect the wood ( or glorified grass) keep it dry and to get it treated with a hardener (Varnish etc.) so that it dries from the inside out like it does with the bark on it. The substance binding the fibers becomes powdery.The palm doesn't contain a hardening resin of its own(as do some other trees) and it's gum is water soluble. A queen palm tiki' loses weight over time and shrinks some. But with treatment, especially epoxy resin, they hold their shape around the fibers and remain solid. Dry,needs to be kept dry. and if varnish is used it will need to be reapplied every year o so, it the tiki is kept outdoors. Keep the Faith [ Edited by: Sunset Mike 2010-11-26 23:40 ]

The image is a queen palm tiki I did over 2 years ago. It's coated in Marine Varnish and holding up well.

I think the real secret is to protect the wood ( or glorified grass) keep it dry and to get it treated with a hardener (Varnish etc.) so that it dries from the inside out like it does with the bark on it. The substance binding the fibers becomes powdery.The palm doesn't contain a hardening resin of its own(as do some other trees) and it's gum is water soluble. A queen palm tiki' loses weight over time and shrinks some. But with treatment, especially epoxy resin, they hold their shape around the fibers and remain solid. Dry,needs to be kept dry. and if varnish is used it will need to be reapplied every year o so, it the tiki is kept outdoors.

Keep the Faith

[ Edited by: Sunset Mike 2010-11-26 23:40 ]

Post #566660 by Sunset Mike on Fri, Nov 26, 2010 11:39 PM