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:


-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ]On Behalf
Of Jim Lewis
Sent: Monday, August 02, 2004 9:13 AM
To:
Subject: [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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----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Lewis"
Subject: [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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"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:


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

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a sunset 37

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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

"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:


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

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a sunset 37

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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 - - Tallahassee, FL - Bonsaiests
are like genealogists: We know our roots!

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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 - - 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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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 ] On Behalf Of Craig Cowing
Sent: Monday, August 02, 2004 6:59 PM
To:
Subject: [IBC] oiling mica pots


dalecochoy wrote:

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Lewis"
Subject: [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 +++++

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++
************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

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 - - 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 - - Tallahassee, FL - Not all of
God's chillun' got shoes -- some of us by choice!

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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

dalecochoy wrote:

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Lewis"
Subject: [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.


My trees sit under 2 smallish live oaks and the forest around the
house if filled with laurel, willow and water oaks. And
squirrels.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Only where
people have learned to appreciate and cherish the landscape and
its living cover will they treat it with the care and respect it
should have - Paul Bigelow Sears.

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************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

My squirrels liked one spot so I gave them an
inconsiquetal pot of stuff to dig in. It worked.

Kitsune Miko

--- "Gratton, Michael"
wrote:
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
] On Behalf Of
Craig Cowing
Sent: Monday, August 02, 2004 6:59 PM
To:
Subject: [IBC] oiling mica pots


dalecochoy wrote:

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Lewis"
Subject: [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++++

************************************************** ******************************
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http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail
+++++


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Cochrane++++

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+++++



=====
****
"Expectations are resentments under construction."

Anne Lamott

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************************************************** ******************************
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dalecochoy wrote:

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Lewis"
Subject: [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 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


Man, that's not true, I have huge oak trees on my property and all property
around me!!
Dale

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

dalecochoy wrote:

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Lewis"
Subject: [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 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


Man, that's not true, I have huge oak trees on my property and all property
around me!!
Dale

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

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

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a sunset 37

Dave, I did that years ago when they came out. i think they stay too shinny,
too long with that. The mineral oil is shinny only briefly.
Dale

************************************************** ******************************
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************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

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

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a sunset 37

Dave, I did that years ago when they came out. i think they stay too shinny,
too long with that. The mineral oil is shinny only briefly.
Dale

************************************************** ******************************
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************************************************** ******************************
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I think northern squirrels must be much better behaved than
southern squirrels. I have several huge oaks and pecan trees.
Lots of fat squirrels, but they still like to mess with my bonsai
from time to time, especially right before a show!
Alan Walker
http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org

-----Original Message-----
From: 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: "Jim Lewis"
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
dalecochoy wrote:
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
-----Original Message-----
From: Craig Cowing
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

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Chris Cochrane++++
************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++