[ganjawulung]

Originally Posted by Marcokeris

Hi Ganja
You can use .... in italian language the name is ACETONE... is the liquid that ladies use to take off colour from fingernails.
After you can use light brown shoes past for to give colour again and to rub kindly with a soft cloth.
Why do you thinK the hilt is from Sumbawa?
I hope to see you soon.

Thank You Gentlemen,

I will try to use liquids which Marco and Rick have suggested.

I am not sure, whether this is a Sumbawa keris hilt, or Bugis hilt. Anyone's opinion, please? Recently I've found keris handles, even keris sheaths which are painted with such clear-paint in Jakarta. And everytime I ask to myself: Why didn't they use "natural polish" such "politur" (dilluted with alcohol only)? Politur (local polish) is easier to remove than clear paint such this...

(Are you going to Jogjakarta again soon, Marco?)

Originally Posted by Rick

Acetone would probably work ok ; remember if you're going to use a small scrub brush to clean in the carved areas be sure that the bristles are natural rather than plastic lest they melt in the solvent.

Yes, I think I must use "horse-tail" bristles, rather than plastic, Rick. It is cheaper and easier to get it...

Originally Posted by Henk

Shoe polish is maybe not the best option. Bee wax or furniture oil is better, I think.

I am not sure I can get bee wax in Jakarta. But I try to find it in Carefour, maybe? Furniture oil is easier to get, Henk...

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

I've used acetone on this stuff successfully, but the problem with this type of deeply and intricately carved hilt is that there are always deposits of the horrible stuff left in the bottom of the carved depressions. The only effective way I've found of removing these is to use a little sharp bambu stick and a jeweller's loupe, and pick the muck out of each hole.A steel needle will work too, but it requires a lot of care to ensure you don't damage the wood. Slow, but if its worth doing, its worth the time to do it. A few good rubs with baby oil will bring the wood surface back to condition. Linseed oil is better than baby oil for this, but it smells too strong and takes too long to dry. There are some OK proprietary furniture oils that could be used too, but I doubt that you could buy these in Indonesia. Oiled furniture just doesn't work where you are. Don't use these oils in the wet season, you'll have mildew everywhere before you know it.By "good rubs", I mean a few drops of oil on your hand and rub in well to the point where your hand is hot, maybe ten minutes at a time, repeated daily over three or four days. You could then buff with a shoe brush to give a bit of a shine.

Yes Alan, maybe I'll work harder than the carver himself! Thanks a lot for your valuable tips..

Ganjawulung