SHOW US YOUR SEALED STONES, AND MAYBE HOW YOU DID IT

[alx gilmore]

How about some photos and information on how you sealed your stones, naturals or synthetics.

This suita Jnat I wrapped in washi japanese mulberry paper and dipped for 5 coats of varnish. Don't forget to use blue tape to cover the side that you use for sharpening.

Alex

 

[alpster]

I used a 2 part epoxy made for wrapping fishing rod guides. It works very well and it preserves the label on the Escher.

 

[Toro Blanco]

I like to use 3 to 4 coats of fresh 2# shellac and finics with 1# of the same color shellac. The first coat I use blonde color and the subsequent coats I like to use super blonde. Then the last 1# in super blonde as well. I apply it with a very fine small brush as it gave me the best results(no streaks). I will post pics of the brush and backs of the stones later.

 

[buca3152]

Very nice! I sealed all my jnats with clear poly. 2 coats. Nothing fancy but it works. No photos as I don't want to get booed out. Lol.

 

[cugel]

I don't have any museum pieces: Jnats sealed with clear fingernail polish. Seems fine to me so far.

 

[alex1921]

Cashew lacquer thinned out with turpentine. Clear or neo clear. The clear has a yellow tint, the neo is more transparent but it also smells more chemical to me. The clear looks great on Mikawa nagura with the yellow tint.
Mizu asagi sealed with neo:

A massive sword grade mejiro sealed with clear cashew.

 

[bluesman 7]

I don't have any museum pieces: Jnats sealed with clear fingernail polish. Seems fine to me so far.

Clear fingernail polish on my 1k and 3k Choseras here too.

 

[alx gilmore]

Nice job on the Mikawa.

A massive sword grade mejiro sealed with clear cashew.

View attachment 946777

View attachment 946778

 

[Adonay]

Good thread, I thinking seal my naguras and jnat stones with cashew lacquer. Any suggestion?
Can i use metylcrilate glue to fix small points in back of slate stone?

 

[alex1921]

Nice job on the Mikawa.

Thank you

 

[rideon66]

I use Rustoleum crystal clear enamel on mine.
Painters tape where I don't want it. Spray handle for can and better accuracy. Several light passes drying in between.

Oh and Alex really like that paper wrap you did on the suita.

 

[Adonay]

Clear fingernail polish is good substitute for Cashew laccquer in jnats?

 

[cugel]

Clear fingernail polish is good substitute for Cashew laccquer in jnats?

"Good" in that nail polish works, is super easy and costs next to nothing, but the lacquers have a really nice look to them, sort of a wet look if you will.
My JNATs (all of my rocks for that matter) are not rare pieces, not much to look at either, but they are workhorses and I enjoy them a lot. Maybe if I had a really nice old vintage hand cut JNAT I would consider lacquer.

 

[Adonay]

Thank you Cugel.
Anybody else?

What type of Varnish you use Alx?

 

[Lord Fatboy]

I use Klarlac. It's good and cheap, but you need serious ventilation.
Occasionally, I'll put some nail hardener on top because it has more shine.
If a stone came to me with Urushi that has now degraded, I try to use food dye to replicate the original lacquer colour.

 

[Rugger007]

I used clear poly spray on one of my jnats and it worked very well. My Escher on the other hand needed something a bit more protection so I used self leveling crystal clear casting resin. It turned out amazing! I have also used the casting resin to “fill” odd shaped or very thin stones. Super easy to work with and excellent results.

 

[David]

Here’s my Maruka sealed with hard as nails sealer. It was sealed around 2014 and is still holding up very well. I kind of wish I hadn’t sealed it, but oh well. The kawa looked much nicer to my eye as it was.

 

[Jayber Crow]

So what's the deal with sealing stones? It's something I'm not familiar with.

 

[alex1921]

So what's the deal with sealing stones? It's something I'm not familiar with.

Jnats being sedimentary rocks can split. Softer stones have a higher chance than harder but the main premise is seal the sides to prevent water getting there and that stabilizes them. Is it really necessary? Probably not. Do I seal all my stones, yes I do. I see it a s a ritual and enjoy it.
Another reason would be to seal a maruka or other stamps on the side of the stones and preserve them.

 

[alx gilmore]

Thank you Cugel.
Anybody else?

What type of Varnish you use Alx?[/QU OTE]

I use marine grade Spar Varnish out of the can. My latest quart is Pettit marine paint 1015 Captain's Varnish, traditional amber color. I do not brush or spray but use a metal bread pan for the varnish and dunk the stone, let the excess drip off and air dry on a rack. Recently I built a heated & ventilated drying cabinet so I can do this in bad weather.

Alx