I recently purchased a set of Khin of Cambodia cups from a member at the Magic Café. They were pretty rough and the detail seemed hidden in a very bad finishing job.

I used straight household bleach on a cotton ball to lighten them generally (they were as dark as can be, with virtually no detail showing and the pores were filled with dirt and sanding grime. After bleaching the surface and letting them dry for 2 days, I attacked them with fine sanding paper and then steel wool.  I applied 2 coats of shellac (blond shellac flakes, dissolved with mineral spirits, 1-6) and then got to work French Polishing them. I'm about 90% done and am considering stopping right here so they have a rustic appearance and don't shine as if freshly dipped in oil.

I know I should have taken a "Before" picture, but I didn't. ( I'll learn someday. The previous owner may chime in and verify how dark and dull they were. "Were" is now the operative descriptor, as they now look like premium cups. They feel wonderful in my hands too.

Here's a pix:



These cups are very thick, in some places over a 1/2 inch thick. They comfortably hold a tennis ball load.

So there is hope for $50.00 Asian cups. With a bit of effort you really can take a pig's ear and convert it into a silk purse.

Thanks for looking.

dsalley13

Wow dsalley13,

Good job!

They really look a lot better than the rest I have seen.  I fear you may have made a rod for your own back here....  Expect a large volume of parcels arriving full of old wooden cups! 

Bri

The previous owner gave me a "Before" pix. Here it is:



The were pretty ghastly looking. When I looked hard enough, I could see their potential and tore into them. Sometimes this works and sometimes it sure doesn't. Luck plays a rather large role.

Next time I'll be sure to take a "Before" pix. Duh.....................   )


dsalley13

PS: The seller has 2 more sets of these. One is the same size as mine and the other is a larger set for taking a baseball sized load. Search his nickname on the Magic Café and send him a PM if you want a set of mahogany cups, that with a little loving care, can become quite beautiful. Great price!

Nick:  "dhouck"

Those cups turned out quite nice!

BTW, dhouck is a very reliable seller and purchaser. I have dealt with him several times.

There are some cups that I believe were turned by Khin's workers which are available from Magic4less.com
http://magic4less.com/Merchant5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M4L&Product_Code=ranindcupssm&Category_Code=CLUP

These are supposedly Indian style cups. They actually aren't the real thing. But they have LOTS of possiblilities.