Lance-saw-lot Carvings pieces are carved from cedar (unless otherwise noted) that was grown in the Pacific Northwest and is accustomed to the wet climate of the region. Cedar is naturally bug resistant and withstands the weather so it is a good medium for outdoor sculptures. During the life of your carving, it will need some basic care to ensure long life. Here are some simple tips to assure lasting quality... If possible keep your new chainsaw carving out of the direct sunlight. This will slow the wood drying process and help protect it from large cracks. This means that for the first few months you will not want to put your carving in a window that gets lots of sunlight or in the direct summer sun. If you do keep your carving in the direct sunlight, you may need to be a bit more diligent with the following care tips.

* Display your carving away from radiant heat sources such as fireplaces or baseboard heaters. As it dries and gets used to its new shape, the best thing you can do for it is to let it dry slowly.

* If your carving is placed outside it will weather naturally. Be sure to keep it off of wet ground.

Some minor checking or cracking is natural and unavoidable; it actually lends character to a piece. Most people understand this and appreciate these cracks as adding to the charm of the carving.

Natural Finished Pieces (i.e. Brown Bears)

Recoat with a quality exterior spar urethane about twice a year or as needed. It could be a little sooner or later depending on where your piece is displayed. Let dry thoroughly before putting outside because rain or fog will cause urethane to turn a milky white if not dry. If a piece begins to show cracking, I typically use a clear five minute two part epoxy to fill the crack. The two parts have to be mixed together before applying. Do this while the crack is still small otherwise it will become to large to hide effectively. It typically takes two applications to fill the crack. When the first application begins to set add the second application to level off the hole from the crack. On pieces that are black you can fill the hole and paint over it no matter how big it is (bondo, putty, epoxy, whatever) as long as the crack isn’t going through a part left its natural wood color.

Black Painted Pieces (i.e. Black Bears)

To fill in any cracks use hard drying wood putty. After the putty dries paint with exterior gloss black paint. Spray paint will work. Be sure to keep it off of the natural wood areas. You will need 2 to 3 coats to cover the putty. Let paint dry thoroughly. Then recoat with spar urethane.

Eagles

* Fill cracks with hard drying wood putty, auto body filler or 2 part epoxy and Let dry.

* Use exterior gloss black paint (spray will do) over the filled crack for the dark area. Use Kilz white primer (the white can) for the head and tail. You will need 2 to 3 coats to cover the putty.

* After the paint dries use an exterior spar urethane to recoat the eagle. Use a paintbrush or spray can for the dark area and only a spray can for the white areas. (Too much urethane over the white will discolor it. Spraying on applies a much thinner coat. If by chance you do get too much on the white area just repaint and recoat again.)

* Use a quality water sealer for the base. (A cedar toned water sealer will help prevent graying or at least prolong it for some time.

* Allow to dry thoroughly before putting outside.