How to repair a wooden Tiki

[Baz]

Quite a few years ago I commissioned a friend of mine to carve Tiki faces into two of my Cabbage Palms.

They've held up pretty good over time but are now in need of some cosmetic repairs.

It's mostly two of their eyes. One is the left and the other the right eye.

I was thinking something like plastic wood, but haven't researched it yet. In the meantime would appreciate any thoughts from the Pelican brain trust. TIA!

Tiki #1:


Good eye:


Bad eye:


Tiki #2:


Good eye:


Bad eye:

[Bill Douglas]

Do you have access to some abalone shells. Cut them to size for the eyes and glue them in.

That's what us Island Boys do (LOL)

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Do you have access to some abalone shells. Cut them to size for the eyes and glue them in.

That's what us Island Boys do (LOL)

Thanks for the idea, Bill. Right now I just want to restore the original setup, but will keep that idea in mind as I think it would look great.

[Baz]

Yo Bill......are you talking about something like this?

[craigster59]

Call these guys. They've been supplying the movie industry for decades. They can give you some ideas. And hey, pick yourself up a Puffer Fish lamp while you're at it!

https://www.oceanicarts.net/

[Baz]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Call these guys. They've been supplying the movie industry for decades. They can give you some ideas. And hey, pick yourself up a Puffer Fish lamp while you're at it!

https://www.oceanicarts.net/

LOL.....OK thanks, Craig!

[john70t]

The base/roots of the tiki are probably not in good shape and may snap off next to ground. Water next to wood doesn't mix.
May need to remove it in the future and set it on a base.

Also need to get much beneficial natural oils in there to recondition what is existing.
Maybe olive oil? IDK. Something which won't prevent adhesion to existing wood surface.
Or do that step after. IDK. You need a deep penetrable product with equal properties to what is applied on top.

Then some kind of penetrating bonding product that will swell and move with the wood.

Then reform and shape the surface.

Paint covers the rest.

[craigster59]

I've had good luck with Abatron....

https://www.amazon.com/Abatron-WoodEpox-Epoxy-Replacement-Compound/dp/B0149KZAX8

[look 171]

Originally Posted by craigster59

I've had good luck with Abatron....

https://www.amazon.com/Abatron-WoodEpox-Epoxy-Replacement-Compound/dp/B0149KZAX8

I was going to suggest that too. We have used them extensively on restoration projects. Only thing is, it must be painted, since it dries whitish. It does move with the lumber, but not sure how it would react with the movement with a live tree?

[Baz]

Originally Posted by john70t

The base/roots of the tiki are probably not in good shape and may snap off next to ground. Water next to wood doesn't mix.
May need to remove it in the future and set it on a base.

Also need to get much beneficial natural oils in there to recondition what is existing.
Maybe olive oil? IDK. Something which won't prevent adhesion to existing wood surface.
Or do that step after. IDK. You need a deep penetrable product with equal properties to what is applied on top.

Then some kind of penetrating bonding product that will swell and move with the wood.

Then reform and shape the surface.

Paint covers the rest.

Thanks for your suggestions, John. These are living trees, BTW, and very solid and healthy so not worried about them snapping off next to the ground. Although I've experienced that with other Tikis which are not part of a living tree.

Originally Posted by craigster59

I've had good luck with Abatron....

https://www.amazon.com/Abatron-WoodEpox-Epoxy-Replacement-Compound/dp/B0149KZAX8

Originally Posted by look 171

I was going to suggest that too. We have used them extensively on restoration projects. Only thing is, it must be painted, since it dries whitish. It does move with the lumber, but not sure how it would react with the movement with a live tree?

Awesome.......thanks guys. This looks like it would fit the bill. I just ordered some and it will be here this weekend.

I will keep the thread updated.

Mahalo!

[Zeke]

Too bad I didn't get in here earlier. West Systems is very good also. I've used Abatron up until projects required a lot more material. Then I just bought my 2-part epoxy along with the fillers in dry bulk and mixed accordingly. The fillers mainly consist of industrial talc, cabosil and fiberglass micro fibers.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Too bad I didn't get in here earlier. West Systems is very good also. I've used Abatron up until projects required a lot more material. Then I just bought my 2-part epoxy along with the fillers in dry bulk and mixed accordingly. The fillers mainly consist of industrial talc, cabosil and fiberglass micro fibers.

Hey Milt.....thanks for your input. Never too late to add to the conversation!

I have used caposil with surfboard repairs and am very familiar with it.

The fiberglass cloth as well for both boat and surfboard.

I'm not familiar at all with using talc as a filler, though.

Worth looking into.

Thanks!

[Baz]

Found a photo from 2019 showing the two trees in context with the property. They are front and center with the main road.

You can see in the photos in the first post I put an up light under each one so when my landscape lighting comes on the tikis are lit up as well as the canopy of each palm. Looks pretty cool.

[Bill Douglas]

Yeah, that's it Baz. I was thinking you could cut out the damaged area, and match the other side. And use aa big chunk of the shell.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Yeah, that's it Baz. I was thinking you could cut out the damaged area, and match the other side. And use aa big chunk of the shell.

Cool idea, Bill!

I think though for now, I will try to fix what I have with the Abatron product that was suggested by Craig.

I have some other areas of my house that product might help with as well. I have been using plastic wood with decent results too on my house in very small areas.

Thank you, my friend!

[MBAtarga]

Out of the box thinking:



https://www.amazon.com/DECORA-Wiggle-Googly-Adhesive-Crafts/dp/B075L8LDPD/ref=pb_allspark_session_sims_desktop_5?pd_rd_w=7oD 81&pf_rd_p=bfefd6e2-acb1-463d-94d0-38a6e00f41d3&pf_rd_r=E5310WH9AH701V4NZ262&pd_rd_r=dba638b5-5752-4349-b899-6e9688eb8ad6&pd_rd_wg=3GlC5&pd_rd_i=B075L8LDPD&psc=1

[Baz]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

Out of the box thinking:



https://www.amazon.com/DECORA-Wiggle-Googly-Adhesive-Crafts/dp/B075L8LDPD/ref=pb_allspark_session_sims_desktop_5?pd_rd_w=7oD 81&pf_rd_p=bfefd6e2-acb1-463d-94d0-38a6e00f41d3&pf_rd_r=E5310WH9AH701V4NZ262&pd_rd_r=dba638b5-5752-4349-b899-6e9688eb8ad6&pd_rd_wg=3GlC5&pd_rd_i=B075L8LDPD&psc=1

LOL.......good stuff, Mark! I might get some of those for something else because they are so cool! But like I said - for now going to try and just repair what I have. It's not like I'm starting from scratch - or trying to replace all 4 eyes.....and I'm kind of a "keep everything stock" kind a guy, so would like to have back what was there originally.

But props for the out of the box thinking - that's commendable, sir!

[drcoastline]

They make a cream for that.

[bivenator]

Baz, I like the carvings. If mine survived the freeze then I will be adding the decorative touch.

Any thoughts on the survival rate of this type of palm? Mine is similar in size to the tree on the right. Currently the fronds are brown, crumpled by the wind.

TIA
Scott

[flatbutt]

How do you carve a tree and not kill it?