[IBC] oiling mica pots

Michael Persiano

In a message dated 8/2/2004 8:14:36 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Craig Cowing <ccowing@FRONTIERNET.NET> writes:

The mineral oil evaporated
>fairly quickly, so I tried vegetable oil instead. Works great. The
>sanding evens out the marks from the molds and gives the pot more of a
>matte surface as opposed to one that is rather glossy. The oiling gives
>it a nice low lustre. Has anyone else tried this?
>

Craig:

The oiling of pots is a common practice amongst those who photograph bonsai for magazines and books.

I do the following:

1. Clean the pot with water and a brush.
2. When the pot is dry, apply Johnson's Baby Oil with a scrubby.

The application will only last for 5-7 days, depending upon the temperature.

Cordially,

Michael Persiano
members.aol.com/iasnob
>Craig Cowing
>
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David J. Bockman

It's my understanding that mica pots are made of a material quite close in
composition to that of modern automobile bumpers, so perhaps a substance
more like Armorall or other hard plastic protectant would work as well.

David J. Bockman, Fairfax, VA (USDA Hardiness Zone 7)
Bunabayashi Bonsai On The World Wide Web: http://www.bunabayashi.com
email: djb@bunabayashi.com


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Internet Bonsai Club [mailto:BONSAI@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM]On Behalf
> Of Jim Lewis
> Sent: Monday, August 02, 2004 9:13 AM
> To: BONSAI@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM
> Subject: Re: [IBC] oiling mica pots
>
>
> > I tried something on a mica pot a few days ago, thinking of
> getting
> > trees ready for the wedding (horrors--one or two will be in
> mica
> > pots!). I sanded the pot with 150 grit sandpaper, then 300,
> making sure
> > to sand with the length of the pot in mind so there wouldn't be
> any
> > wayward scratches. I didn't really bear down, just sanded
> enough to
> > even out the surface. I then tried rubbing on mineral oil,
> which I use
> > on unglazed ceramic pots for displays. The mineral oil
> evaporated
> > fairly quickly, so I tried vegetable oil instead. Works great.
> The
> > sanding evens out the marks from the molds and gives the pot
> more of a
> > matte surface as opposed to one that is rather glossy. The
> oiling gives
> > it a nice low lustre. Has anyone else tried this?
>
> Sounds like a good idea, but most of my mica pots have squirrel
> tooth on their rims by the end of their first year of use. It
> would take more than a "light" sanding to get rid of them.

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dalecochoy

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Lewis" <jklewis@NETTALLY.COM>
Subject: Re: [IBC] oiling mica pots
> Sounds like a good idea, but most of my mica pots have squirrel
> tooth on their rims by the end of their first year of use. It
> would take more than a "light" sanding to get rid of them.
>
> Jim Lewis

Ditto here Jim, that is one of the problems with using mica "training pots"
as a less expensive alternate to good ceramic, but it's a lost savings when
the squirrels ruin the pots!! You'd think with 3 dogs and 3 cats I'd NEVER
see a squirrel !!!!
I keep a rag and bottle of baby oil or plain ( unscented) mineral oil at my
work station. Use it on every pot when done working. Years ago when I was
out of mineral oil I used cooking oil for a while but found the rags got
rancid smelling quickly. Never did the sanding. That's just TOO MUCH work
for a training pot! :>)
Dale

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Craig Cowing

"David J. Bockman" wrote:

> It's my understanding that mica pots are made of a material quite close in
> composition to that of modern automobile bumpers, so perhaps a substance
> more like Armorall or other hard plastic protectant would work as well.
>
> David J. Bockman, Fairfax, VA (USDA Hardiness Zone 7)
> Bunabayashi Bonsai On The World Wide Web: http://www.bunabayashi.com
> email: djb@bunabayashi.com
>

Now THAT's a sensible idea. I'll try it!

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a sunset 37

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Jim Lewis

> Lynn Boyd wrote:
>
> > Craig -
> > Yes - I have tried it - and it does improve the look,
very temporarily,
> > then collects dust and looks worse than before oiling.
Spraying it with
> > water won't wash off the dust. Have you tried shoe polish?
> > Lynn
> > Lynn Boyd, Oregon, USA
> >
>
> Interesting thought. This isn't long term--just for display.
>
> I haven't tried shoe polish. I don't polish my shoes so I
don't have any
> around.
>

I can do you better than that. I don't have any shoes (just
sandals) -- but I will have some by mid October, Craig.

Jim Lewis - jklewis@nettally.com - Tallahassee, FL - Bonsaiests
are like genealogists: We know our roots!

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Craig Cowing

Jim Lewis wrote:

> > Lynn Boyd wrote:
> >
> > > Craig -
> > > Yes - I have tried it - and it does improve the look,
> very temporarily,
> > > then collects dust and looks worse than before oiling.
> Spraying it with
> > > water won't wash off the dust. Have you tried shoe polish?
> > > Lynn
> > > Lynn Boyd, Oregon, USA
> > >
> >
> > Interesting thought. This isn't long term--just for display.
> >
> > I haven't tried shoe polish. I don't polish my shoes so I
> don't have any
> > around.
> >
>
> I can do you better than that. I don't have any shoes (just
> sandals) -- but I will have some by mid October, Craig.
>
> Jim Lewis - jklewis@nettally.com - Tallahassee, FL - Bonsaiests
> are like genealogists: We know our roots!

Actually, you might be better off not wearing shoes. That way security at the
airport won't need to have you take them off! ;0)

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a Sunset 37

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Craig Cowing

dalecochoy wrote:

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jim Lewis" <jklewis@NETTALLY.COM>
> Subject: Re: [IBC] oiling mica pots
> > Sounds like a good idea, but most of my mica pots have squirrel
> > tooth on their rims by the end of their first year of use. It
> > would take more than a "light" sanding to get rid of them.
> >
> > Jim Lewis
>
> Ditto here Jim, that is one of the problems with using mica "training pots"
> as a less expensive alternate to good ceramic, but it's a lost savings when
> the squirrels ruin the pots!! You'd think with 3 dogs and 3 cats I'd NEVER
> see a squirrel !!!!
> I keep a rag and bottle of baby oil or plain ( unscented) mineral oil at my
> work station. Use it on every pot when done working. Years ago when I was
> out of mineral oil I used cooking oil for a while but found the rags got
> rancid smelling quickly. Never did the sanding. That's just TOO MUCH work
> for a training pot! :>)
> Dale

I guess you guys just don't live right. ;0] If you had oak trees near you the
squirrels would have no interest in your mica pots.

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a Sunset 37

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************************************************** ******************************
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Gratton, Michael

I wish that were true. I have huge oak trees all around my house, and the only two bonsai pots that the squirrels show any interest in are two mica pots with 3-tree gingko plantings. They tear those plantings up at least once a week. I must not be living
right...

-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club [mailto:BONSAI@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM] On Behalf Of Craig Cowing
Sent: Monday, August 02, 2004 6:59 PM
To: BONSAI@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM
Subject: Re: [IBC] oiling mica pots


dalecochoy wrote:

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jim Lewis" <jklewis@NETTALLY.COM>
> Subject: Re: [IBC] oiling mica pots
> > Sounds like a good idea, but most of my mica pots have squirrel
> > tooth on their rims by the end of their first year of use. It
> > would take more than a "light" sanding to get rid of them.
> >
> > Jim Lewis
>
> Ditto here Jim, that is one of the problems with using mica "training pots"
> as a less expensive alternate to good ceramic, but it's a lost savings when
> the squirrels ruin the pots!! You'd think with 3 dogs and 3 cats I'd NEVER
> see a squirrel !!!!
> I keep a rag and bottle of baby oil or plain ( unscented) mineral oil at my
> work station. Use it on every pot when done working. Years ago when I was
> out of mineral oil I used cooking oil for a while but found the rags got
> rancid smelling quickly. Never did the sanding. That's just TOO MUCH work
> for a training pot! :>)
> Dale

I guess you guys just don't live right. ;0] If you had oak trees near you the
squirrels would have no interest in your mica pots.

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a Sunset 37

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++
************************************************** ******************************
>>-->> The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ <<--<<
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail BONSAI-REQUEST@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM +++++

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++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++
************************************************** ******************************
>>-->> The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ <<--<<
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail BONSAI-REQUEST@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM +++++

Jim Lewis

> > > Interesting thought. This isn't long term--just for
display.
> > >
> > > I haven't tried shoe polish. I don't polish my shoes so I
> > don't have any
> > > around.
> > >
> >
> > I can do you better than that. I don't have any shoes (just
> > sandals) -- but I will have some by mid October, Craig.
> >
> > Jim Lewis - jklewis@nettally.com - Tallahassee, FL -
Bonsaiests
> > are like genealogists: We know our roots!
>
> Actually, you might be better off not wearing shoes. That way
security at the
> airport won't need to have you take them off! ;0)

Oh, rest assured that shoes won't enclose my feet until 5 minutes
before I step into the Church, Craig. ;-)

Jim Lewis - jklewis@nettally.com - Tallahassee, FL - Not all of
God's chillun' got shoes -- some of us by choice!

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++
************************************************** ******************************
>>-->> The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ <<--<<
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail BONSAI-REQUEST@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM +++++