Latest bear,tell me what you can see that might be off onit. same bear before and after. this is hard maple and i been hollowing out the logs underneath to reduce weight and stress. this log and the bear i did before this one was pretty wet.same tree and the previous bear has been up on a steel milk crate for a week. both of them have molded underneath where i hollowed them out.... Never had that happen before. will be putting cabots deck stain on this one. Any suggestions to get rid of the mold? Thought i might torch it up in there?

It just makes me wish that I could do a Bear that well. I love the hair, I ain't got the patience for all that.
I don't know what to suggest for the mold, except maybe try to grow mushrooms up there.
later
waynecancarve

For your mold, why not try a solution of ten parts water to one part Clorox bleach. Mix together and spray effected areas liberally. Let the solution dry. If there is still mold, spray again. As soon as you do not see any more mold, spray your finish on. This works with mold and mildew on ANY wood. By the way, nice bear. Looks almost REAL.

Should have been THREE (3) parts water and one of bleach!!! Sorry...try it..it WILL work.

belinda and wayne.I ended up torching it and a friend gave me a box of trisodium phosphate. painters use it to kill mold before painting.I mixed it up and sprayed it. put a fan on it and then sprayed cabots deck finish. I think that will do it.I hope.

YES...trisodium phosphate..commonly called TSP will work also. It can be purchased by ANYONE at most paint, hardware, Lowe's, Home Depot and even Wal-Mart! Yes, it is also used by painters MOST often to clean decks and usually kitchen cabinets/walls that have a build-up of grease, dirt and grime to be refinished. A fast way to get the job done without having to sand! Gives the wood a clean surface with a "tooth" so it will hold the new finish. BE AWARE that TSP is hazardous to the user! Long sleeves, gloves, eye protection and a respirator are highly advised. BEFORE there was TSP, painters used bleach water for mold and mildew. Less toxic and the worst that could happen, you could get some on your clothes and have "spoted" clothing afterwards! Just thought you would like to know both sides...hazardeous and non-harardeous.

Didn't know all that. i did see it at walmart. it says "no phosphates" on it now. Probably still dangerous stuff tho.By the way, it worked.I sprayed tsp let it soak in a few hours an torched it, then sprayed tsp ,let it soak in and dry,then put my finish on.

Glad the TSP worked for you. I would just be real careful when I used TSP. Don't want any harm to come to such good carving artists. Want them to be around still carving when they are having to walk with a walking cane! If you have any old wood laying around with mold/mildew on it...just TRY a little bleach water. Still works...but then for mold alone...it needs a damp dark place to grow. If you had stood your bear on his head where the sun light could have hit it, most likely the mold would have died if it was only mold...don't know how the wood would have faired with cracking tho. Just glad you got the problem taken care of and a good finish on such a handsome bear. Keep carving and stay safe.

YOU are a sweety! thank ya kindly. By the way, I am already an old fart.Made my cane in 1994.I just turned 50 this year. Your only as old as you feel, i must be pushing 80!LOL!Too many broken bones,injuries an now arthiritis.Getting older sucks, but the alternative is not good.