Post #315048 by Bahookahuna on Tue, Jun 26, 2007 11:11 AM

So a couple of months and plenty of "waterings" (side spray from watering my tropicals) later, the clear gloss polyurethane that Mathieu at Culbertson's (a.k.a. Mainlanders) recommended is still holding. Clear gloss poly looks so good that I've coated our Oceanic Arts moai with it, as well.

I believe -- as Mathieu had told me -- that the Indonesian tropical wood from which the first tiki was carved is so porous that it simply completely soaked up the two coats that Mainlanders had applied, and needed a couple more. You can see part of the finished product in the picture I use with my signature (below) -- "the eyes of Erna-Erna."

You can also check out something similar here (Mainlanders in San Diego version): http://www.tropicaltikis.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22_26&products_id=591, and here (PalmTree Charlie in Florida version): http://www.tikis4u.com/hand-carved-tiki-statue-hawaiian-totem-pole-sale-35.htm

It's a more modern design, especially with the paint and gloss, but I really like it. I had a few reservations about it when I believed that the design had originated in Bali -- a non-traditionally-tiki, commercial source of a lot of what's on the market nowadays. However, OnaTiki has indicated that the design may have actually originated in Tahiti. OnaTiki's did. Here's what their's looks like (captured from the marvelous YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z4QcuvZpJ0 ):

Does anyone else have any info on this design?

By the way, Mainlanders is having its grand opening on July 21, 2007 -- music, food, drinks, and discounts on all their products.

Bahookahuna

Look not into the eyes of the idol...

[ Edited by: Bahookahuna 2007-06-26 11:14 ]

[ Edited by: Bahookahuna 2007-06-27 09:30 ]