How To Protect Soapstone Carvings
Before you begin oiling your soapstone saturate a soft clean lint-free cloth microfiber towel or sponge with a mild soapy water solution and use it to go over the entire surface.
How to protect soapstone carvings. Even granite and quartz are used occasionally. When carving soapstone make sure it is in a well ventilated area and wear a dust mask and safety glasses at all times. In my experience short answer you cant protect the finish.
Wear respiratory protection while carving. While conventional household cleansers wont necessarily harm the stone theyll remove the mineral oil coating. The carving has a chip in it and the chip is very noticeable.
We do not recommend using any soapstone sealer that you find on the market. Flying chips of stone launch unexpectedly at your face during this process and can knock out an eye or a tooth says Princeton University. Take care not to drop the soapstone carving because soapstone can break easily.
If you want to make your soapstone countertop or sink darker you can simply apply some mineral oil. For this reason cleaning with soap and water is strongly recommended. I have a soapstone carving that I bought in Zimbabwe.
Its hard to carve if you cant see. Wrap around goggles offer the best protection against dust and flying chips. Enhance soapstone color with polishing and applying mineral oil.
I have antique Chinese soapstone carvings and they too can be marked with a fingernail. Excessive polishing can wear away carved details. It has been a medium for carving in cultures around the world for thousands of years.