Cleaning bark ?

[windfall]

I'm in no way good enough to do a natural edge bowl but I am making tea lights from branches. I think the natural colors of the bark on some of branches is hidden by dirt and some green - moss. I was going to attack it with a sponge and some turps but I don't know if that's the best stuff to use. What do people use to do it ?
\Thanks

[Les Symonds]

I can quite understand wanting to clean any dirt off, but leave the moss and/or lichen in place. I use a stiff brush and lightly brush the bark, but in every  other respect, I want the bark to remain as natural as possible.

Les

p.s. ... I do hope that you're using liners to set your tea-lights in!

[Mike313]

Might be better to wash it with something that's less flammable   

[windfall]

I can quite understand wanting to clean any dirt off, but leave the moss and/or lichen in place. I use a stiff brush and lightly brush the bark, but in every  other respect, I want the bark to remain as natural as possible.

Les

Wheres the fun in that lol !!!

p.s. ... I do hope that you're using liners to set your tea-lights in!

Might be better to wash it with something that's less flammable   

Liners for me are quite expensive I would have to lay out £30 for 60 on Amazon, I'm still hunting for smaller quantities - the candles them-self come a in a metal dish with two creases running to the edges ,I was thinking that combined with scoring circles inside the bottom of the holder that should be enough to stop the wood setting on fire ?

[Twisted Trees]

The brass bristled suede shoe cleaning brushes, available from any shoe shop, or if you are brave enough probably the wife's shoe cleaning supplies cupboard 

The bristles will get into the dirt  but are soft enough not to remove the bark.

[Derek]

Liners for me are quite expensive I would have to lay out £30 for 60 on Amazon, I'm still hunting for smaller quantities - the candles them-self come a in a metal dish with two creases running to the edges ,I was thinking that combined with scoring circles inside the bottom of the holder that should be enough to stop the wood setting on fire ?

 
That is another can of worms opened.

Try Olivers woodturning for smaller quantities.

[Twisted Trees]

These are even cheaper, and have a nice top edge that would look good sticking above the bark...

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/decoration/candles-candle-holders/v%C3%A4snas-tealight-holder-clear-glass-art-60259096/

[bodrighywood]

I can quite understand wanting to clean any dirt off, but leave the moss and/or lichen in place. I use a stiff brush and lightly brush the bark, but in every  other respect, I want the bark to remain as natural as possible.

Les

Wheres the fun in that lol !!!

p.s. ... I do hope that you're using liners to set your tea-lights in!

Might be better to wash it with something that's less flammable   

Liners for me are quite expensive I would have to lay out £30 for 60 on Amazon, I'm still hunting for smaller quantities - the candles them-self come a in a metal dish with two creases running to the edges ,I was thinking that combined with scoring circles inside the bottom of the holder that should be enough to stop the wood setting on fire ?

You can get them cheaper than that if you look around. The aluminium sleeves are no protection at all. The melting point of wax in t lights is often higher than the combustible temoerature of the wood, Both I and others have seen the effect of using t lights and candles in bare wood and unless you have massive insurance and are prepared to take the risk it is not a good idea. Whether you are giving them away, selling them or making for your own use it is dangerous to put it simply and bad practice. As said Ed (Olivers Woodturning) had a load of them worth checking with him.

Pete

[windfall]

I have taken on the tea light recommendations and ordered these , hopefully they will work ok.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002S3XBGM/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stppvp_1?pf_rd_p=d810f6d9-3f6c-4942-87a3-0ebabe3282f7&pd_rd_wg=7yRDE&pf_rd_r=Z2PESM5M6YMCB3F4BHF4&pd_rd_i=B002S3XBGM&pd_rd_w=fv0Mx&pd_rd_r=a7ee9e1b-47ee-43b3-a518-9dff547db52e&ie=UTF8&qid=1550676780&sr=1

[bodrighywood]

They are ideal. Make sure that the cavity for them is a 1ml or so bigger as they can jamb if the wood moves and being able to take them out to clean is a selling point. they also fit certain standard candles by the way, can't remember which but we use them for that as well.
Pete

[windfall]

They are ideal. Make sure that the cavity for them is a 1ml or so bigger as they can jamb if the wood moves and being able to take them out to clean is a selling point. they also fit certain standard candles by the way, can't remember which but we use them for that as well.
Pete

My stock is only 4" square so I have to work within that but I'll easily squeeze a 1mm gap around the edge, if i go into a production run I can bring the price down a lot for bulk buy's