Igorot/Bontok Shield

Nonoy Tan · 9th October 2014, 09:57 PM

Hi Robert,

Taking off dust by use of a brush is a basic step for me. Next is a ren wax treatment, unless the shield is too delicate in which case no treatment is made.

Nonoy

Robert · 10th October 2014, 06:25 AM

Hello Nonoy, and thank you for your advice. I have cleaned the dust and lint from it using a clean paint brush and canned air like used to clean dust from keyboards. I then applied some ren wax to a small area on the back of the shield where it was sucked into the wood like a sponge. The wood is not delicate or falling apart when being handled it is just VERY dry like it might have been hung on a wall by a fireplace or something else that helped to over dry the wood. That is why I was asking if a light coating of either olive or linseed oil might be applied before the wax to help rehydrate the wood.

Best,
Robert

drac2k · 10th October 2014, 04:52 PM

For my own personal preference I would lightly brush on the linseed oil and wipe off the excess with a clean rag; be sure to use boiled linseed oil. I mix mine with lemon oil extract (about a 1 to 3 mixture); this tends to thin the coating, allow it to penetrate the wood more easily and not to leave a thick tacky residue.

Nonoy Tan · 10th October 2014, 10:41 PM

Hi Robert, I do not use linseed or olive oil and therefore have no observations on their effect.

Robert · 11th October 2014, 02:07 AM

Drac2k, After doing a search on the net and actually going out and checking various commercial products I have found that quite a few of the ones I can find are not much more than a mixture of olive or linseed oils and lemon oil or juice just as you have suggested. As i am out of linseed oil at the moment but have an abundance of olive oil I will be trying a mixture of it and lemon oil on a place on the back side of the shield followed by a coat of ren wax to see how it works out. I will post the results early next week as I am going out over the weekend. The only drawback that I can see is that it will most likely darken the wood a bit, how much it will darken it is yet to be seen. I will also have to be careful not to get it on the rattan banding as it could very easily cause them to stretch and loosen. Thank you all for your help and suggestions.

Best,
Robert

drac2k · 11th October 2014, 06:20 AM

Robert, the idea of olive oil is very intriguing to me, I'd be interested in hearing about your results. In regards to the boiled linseed oil and lemon oil extract, I've found it to work to good effect on rattan wrappings as well ; it brings back to life the dry and cracked bindings and retards further degradation . I really haven't noticed any stretching, even though I haven't specifically looked for it.

9th October 2014, 09:57 PM	#1
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	Hi Robert, Taking off dust by use of a brush is a basic step for me. Next is a ren wax treatment, unless the shield is too delicate in which case no treatment is made. Nonoy

10th October 2014, 06:25 AM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Nonoy, and thank you for your advice. I have cleaned the dust and lint from it using a clean paint brush and canned air like used to clean dust from keyboards. I then applied some ren wax to a small area on the back of the shield where it was sucked into the wood like a sponge. The wood is not delicate or falling apart when being handled it is just VERY dry like it might have been hung on a wall by a fireplace or something else that helped to over dry the wood. That is why I was asking if a light coating of either olive or linseed oil might be applied before the wax to help rehydrate the wood. Best, Robert

10th October 2014, 04:52 PM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,192	For my own personal preference I would lightly brush on the linseed oil and wipe off the excess with a clean rag; be sure to use boiled linseed oil. I mix mine with lemon oil extract (about a 1 to 3 mixture); this tends to thin the coating, allow it to penetrate the wood more easily and not to leave a thick tacky residue.

10th October 2014, 10:41 PM	#4
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	Hi Robert, I do not use linseed or olive oil and therefore have no observations on their effect.

11th October 2014, 02:07 AM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Drac2k, After doing a search on the net and actually going out and checking various commercial products I have found that quite a few of the ones I can find are not much more than a mixture of olive or linseed oils and lemon oil or juice just as you have suggested. As i am out of linseed oil at the moment but have an abundance of olive oil I will be trying a mixture of it and lemon oil on a place on the back side of the shield followed by a coat of ren wax to see how it works out. I will post the results early next week as I am going out over the weekend. The only drawback that I can see is that it will most likely darken the wood a bit, how much it will darken it is yet to be seen. I will also have to be careful not to get it on the rattan banding as it could very easily cause them to stretch and loosen. Thank you all for your help and suggestions. Best, Robert

11th October 2014, 06:20 AM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,192	Robert, the idea of olive oil is very intriguing to me, I'd be interested in hearing about your results. In regards to the boiled linseed oil and lemon oil extract, I've found it to work to good effect on rattan wrappings as well ; it brings back to life the dry and cracked bindings and retards further degradation . I really haven't noticed any stretching, even though I haven't specifically looked for it.