Artwork by Kay McCormack
Care and Maintenance of your
Soapstone Sculpture
Soapstone, also called potstone, steatite or saponite, is actually just an impure form of talc. We use the term soapstone because of its soapy feel. Unfinished soapstone usually is a grey colour. The finished stone may look grey, black, green, yellow, orange, rust, pink, bluish, white or combinations of these colours. It often will have fault lines, created by different minerals. Though these faults create interest and glorious colour changes; these are often softer, weak spots.
Soapstone can be finished with many products. Different oils and varnishes will show the stone's colour and protect it. In most cases just a light dusting is necessary to keep a finished piece looking great. Restrict the amount of direct sunlight and handling you do as the oils from your hands can leave a residue.
Soapstone is a soft stone that can scratch, bruise, chip and break. A little thought into placing your special piece will reduce the number of moves and reduce the chance of injury to the piece.
If your Soapstone piece has a high gloss finish, I likely finished it with High Gloss Tung Oil or a combination of Tung Oil and Polyurethane. It brings out the stone's colour, protects it from scratches and gives it that glassy look. If you do get a scratch in the surface just about any oil product (mineral oil, linseed oil) could be wiped on it to reduce the white line. Use the smallest amount needed and wipe off any excess. If the sculpture suffers a bruise, chip or a piece breaks off, it will likely need either epoxy gluing, sanding and/or re-oiling. Please contact me for instructions or I will refer you to an repair expert.
Care and Maintenance of your
Soapstone Sculpture
Soapstone, also called potstone, steatite or saponite, is actually just an impure form of talc. We use the term soapstone because of its soapy feel. Unfinished soapstone usually is a grey colour. The finished stone may look grey, black, green, yellow, orange, rust, pink, bluish, white or combinations of these colours. It often will have fault lines, created by different minerals. Though these faults create interest and glorious colour changes; these are often softer, weak spots.
Soapstone can be finished with many products. Different oils and varnishes will show the stone's colour and protect it. In most cases just a light dusting is necessary to keep a finished piece looking great. Restrict the amount of direct sunlight and handling you do as the oils from your hands can leave a residue.
Soapstone is a soft stone that can scratch, bruise, chip and break. A little thought into placing your special piece will reduce the number of moves and reduce the chance of injury to the piece.
If your Soapstone piece has a high gloss finish, I likely finished it with High Gloss Tung Oil or a combination of Tung Oil and Polyurethane. It brings out the stone's colour, protects it from scratches and gives it that glassy look. If you do get a scratch in the surface just about any oil product (mineral oil, linseed oil) could be wiped on it to reduce the white line. Use the smallest amount needed and wipe off any excess. If the sculpture suffers a bruise, chip or a piece breaks off, it will likely need either epoxy gluing, sanding and/or re-oiling. Please contact me for instructions or I will refer you to an repair expert.
Never look down on anyone, unless you are helping them up
