To oil or not to oil

sparklemotion

Shohin
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Every book I have consulted about suiseki recommends treating the stones with oil in order to develop a satin/semi-gloss "patina." Some recommend mineral oil, others recommend daily rubbing to infuse with natural hand oils, still others, rubbing with nylon (pantyhose) to infuse with the petroleum-based oils from the nylon.

But these books are not the most up to date. I'm pretty sure that the newest one I've referenced is Willi Benz's Suiseki (2000). Now, when I google this question I see a lot of very strong internet opinions about how oiling stones "ruins" them, and lamenting the damage done to decades of outstanding stones. The holders of these opinions tend to recommend practicing "yoseki" -- putting the rock on a bench and watering it daily. For years.

On the other hand, there is Sakurai Toshio who is refreshingly open about his carving techniques (including sandblasting, and oiling/waxing). PDF: Enhancing the Stone, Part Two, Sakurai Toshio, Japan’s Leading Professional Stone Carver, by Thomas Elias and Hiromi Nakaoji, (BCI Magazine, October/November/December 2016, pp. 30-37). I also know enough about lapidary/rock collecting techniques to be dangerous, and theorize that the any of the "daily rubbing" techniques are really just gentle (slow) polishing, and that "natural oils" like skin oil are likely to break down/yellow in a way that may be less than attractive over time.

I have no stones of any value beyond sentimental. But I'd like to treat them "right" while helping them look their best -- ideally without spending years pouring water over stones that have already been exposed to the elements for millennia. What say you nutters... will I be cursing myself in 20 years if I decide to short cut with some real abrasives and inert oils?
 

Anthony

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As a Chinese Scholar,

the idea was to hold the stone in your hands and feel your
ideas / memories.
This would inspire you to write, paint, carve etc.

The world within the stone.

The stones were kept in individual wooden boxes.
Passed on and cherished.

At most a rubbing in walnut oil, very thin coat.
Gives a soft lustre, as would skin oil.
Lovingly touching a beloved.

There are several stones here from the beach.
Also 10 lbs gifted to my brother -in- law from an IBC-er
in California / Oregon.
Memories.
Good Day
Anthony

* During China's revolution, the Schulars threw their stones
into the garden, to protect them from theft or damage.
 

xseki

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If "oil from hand and face" is acceptable, then better to use vaseline, mineral oil, baby oil. It is ok for your own stone to use human body oil. But think about it, you buy stone, it was cared with somebody's body oil, not yours, your feeling?
 

Wires_Guy_wires

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But think about it, you buy stone, it was cared with somebody's body oil, not yours, your feeling?
Same feeling I get from touching door handles, or "flex work" keyboard and mouse, or seats at the movies.. Or even worse: couches in peoples homes that have never been washed in 10 years.
Just don't think about it..
 

Bonsai Nut

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Just don't think about it..
I think people run into trouble when they start to believe that ANYWHERE on this planet is sterile. Even tapwater has low levels of microorganisms. When you read the steps necessary to sterilize a single piece of hospital surgical gear it is pretty apparent that unless you walk through the world spraying everything with bleach and waiting 30 seconds before you touch something - you are walking through a world of microorganisms. But that's ok!
 

Wulfskaar

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I've kinda been wondering about something similar. I have granite counters and a matching beach rock. When the rock is dry, it's white-ish. When wet, the colors of the minerals pop and they match the counter perfectly.

I've been wondering what substance could permanently bring out the colors as if the rock were wet. Some kind of oil makes sense, although I had originally been thinking maybe clear nail polish or some other kind of clear coat.
 

Underdog

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This was simply cooking oil:) My first attempt at this. Wondered about polishing?
 

penumbra

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This was simply cooking oil:) My first attempt at this. Wondered about polishing?
Oil attracts dust.
Had to google that one. LOL
I guess that is old school, but any good hard wax will do. When I was importing Scholar rocks some years ago it was considered the acceptable thing to do and some rocks came with wax on rock and base. I sold my last large scholar rock this past summer and the buyer used wax as well.
I wish now that I had kept just one of them.
 
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I spent a whole year rubbing oils from my nose and forehead to rub on a small suiseki. It was looking nice, during a 4 day rain.......... All oils washed away.

Needless to say I don't try to oil them anymore.
 

bonsaichile

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A bit of vaseline works well, I found. Of course, like everything, you need to reapply as needed. But if you keep your suiseki inside (daizas dont take rain and snow so well), it barely becomes an issue
 

ShadyStump

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I've kinda been wondering about something similar. I have granite counters and a matching beach rock. When the rock is dry, it's white-ish. When wet, the colors of the minerals pop and they match the counter perfectly.

I've been wondering what substance could permanently bring out the colors as if the rock were wet. Some kind of oil makes sense, although I had originally been thinking maybe clear nail polish or some other kind of clear coat.
This is part of the intent with polishing. That's how your countertop looks so good.
Unfortunately, suiseki are appreciated for their texture as much as their shape and color, so polishing them to a smooth glossy finish isn't really accepted. What I've tried doing is using my Dremel with various brushes to smooth them out just a little, in a controlled manner, too let certain features stand out.
Otherwise, oiling is your only option. There are conditioners for granite countertops. Something of the sort might work best for stones.
 

penumbra

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Everybody keeps going back to oil. Most oil attracts dirt and dust, especially vaseline.
Go with wax. I have used wax on dozens of stands and their daizas as well.
 
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