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Vivian Volz
Senior Member
Username: vivianvolz

Post Number: 30
Registered: 06-2004
Posted on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 12:24 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Any insights into the properties and specification of soap treated ash? I have a team that wants to use it as part of an interior architectural woodwork screen wall (but doesn't know where their sample came from...) and I need to know if there's a reference standard or an adequate description anywhere for the soap treatment. All I found on Google was Scandinavian furniture for sale. Anyone have any experience (good or bad) or help you can share? Thank you!
George A. Everding, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA
Senior Member
Username: geverding

Post Number: 45
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 01:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

For wood turned on a lathe? I think some woodworkers use a soap solution to allow them to machine green stock without drying; it prevents cracking. I'm not sure how or if it changes the eventual finish of the turning.
Vivian Volz
Senior Member
Username: vivianvolz

Post Number: 31
Registered: 06-2004
Posted on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - 12:19 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

There's no mention of a lathe, but that's good to know. The sample is a flat panel. Thanks.
Vivian Volz
Senior Member
Username: vivianvolz

Post Number: 32
Registered: 06-2004
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2005 - 01:54 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

We know the sample came from a furniture company whose furniture we're not using, so we hesitate to bug them for their secrets. Does anybody else have any hints?
Susan McClendon
Senior Member
Username: susan_mcclendon

Post Number: 11
Registered: 01-2005
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2005 - 05:16 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Why don't you ask Minwax or some other manufacturer of wood stains? They are used to simulating other finishes, so may know what that terminology means. And might have a different solution.
Gary L. Beimers, FCSI, CDT, CSC
Advanced Member
Username: gbeimers

Post Number: 5
Registered: 05-2005
Posted on Thursday, July 07, 2005 - 09:47 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Try these few links. First few I've found referencing soap treatments that are not for bugs, poison ivy, plants, skin-care, or cussing. I enjoy a good info hunt, so I'll probably keep bird-doggin. Not much out there, even Fine Woodworking mag let me down.

Looks like its a natural mat'l finishing treatment alternate to an oil (tung) treatment; filling pores, raising grain, etc. As such, I'm guessing would require periodic redo.

http://www.canett.dk/html/pdf/aftercareguide_solo.pdf#search='soap%20treatment'
- - O.K. description of what a soap finishing treatment is & how to

http://www.sasco.ns.ca/trip_trap.htm - -description of soap treatment for floors

http://www.haslev.com/soaptreatment.htm - - describes soap treatment of wood furniture

http://www.aalborg-massiv.dk/Engelsk/wooduk.htm - - - lye-soap treatment mentioned on some samples

http://www.ak.dk/gammel_uk/vedlige.html - - some discussion of care of soap treated wood
Vivian Volz
Senior Member
Username: vivianvolz

Post Number: 33
Registered: 06-2004
Posted on Friday, July 08, 2005 - 08:20 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Thank you, Gary! This will be enough to help the client decide whether the finish is truly suitable for the project, and for the woodworker to do some experiments and develop a control sample. I agree, it looks like something that will require periodic retreatments, so knowing enough about it to decide against it may be the best outcome for the client.

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