[Sea Vulture]

I do it the hard way, which sucks, but works well and I get to fondle each chip multiple times, and am happy with the overall results.

I pour a small amount of mineral oil in a Very, Very small bowl (one that might only hold 4 or 5 tablespoons at most. I dip my finger tips in the bowl then run them around the clay part of the chips. Some oil will hit the inlays, but not enough to worry about.

After I oil each one, I place it on a paper towel, and repeat process for the next one. Each chip is layed flat, next to one another and not stacked. I usually do a rack or two at a time. Once they are all oiled, I place another paper towel over then and pat it down to soak up the excess oil. After patting them down, I use a towel or paper towel and wipe each chip off, to remove any further excess oil, then begin stacking them.

I'm happy with the results, but the process sucks. I just set up at the dining room table and have the TV on, have a couple beers ready, and just fondle away. This probably isn't the easiest way, but it's how I do it. BTW, did I mention the process sucks!

[ipgyst]

Originally Posted by Sea Vulture

...I get to fondle each chip multiple times...

We have a winner.

[guinness]

Its a sad commentary when I pull the trigger to respond based on the topic.....thinking its oil heat related under general topics...

[pogobbler]

Originally Posted by JoseRijo

Tweezers? No offense, but you do have fingers, right? You make the oil sound
like it's gasoline.

lol No offense taken. I use the tweezers mainly so I don't get the oil all over everything with my big clumsy fingers, it's not out of some irrational fear of the oil itself.

[djexacto]

I'm ordering a bunch of PI clays and labels separately, would oiling them be a good or bad idea? if good, oil before or after the label is attached (i'm guessing after), and probably avoid the label. Will the oil dissolve he adhesive of the label or leave stains? Am I better off just not oiling them?

[jimchadwick]

I just oiled a 7 piece sample set of Paulson Top Hat and Cane chips. Dipped them in a small container of mineral oil for about five minutes and wiped the bulk of the oil off with one wash cloth and then finished them up with another wash cloth. There is definately a noticeable enhancement to the appearance of the chips. It did however, become obvious that this would be a very time consuming process with large sets of chips but in my opinion, well worth it. Sidepot Clay Poker Chips has probably the best information I have ever seen on everything one could possibly want to know about chips.

Regards, Jim

[Jonah 99]

one thing I do that I didn't see mentioned:

I use a plastic chip rack, rather than a bowl, pour a little oil in and put a stack of twenty chips in. Spin them around a few times, take them out and wipe the oil off. When I wipe the oil off I make sure the face of the chip gets enough oil. The label will still get some oil but not as much as soaking a whole chip.

[7thSeat]

Just put 50 chips at a time in an empty potatoe chips bag and shake it for a few seconds.

[dad604]

Originally Posted by djexacto

I'm ordering a bunch of PI clays and labels separately, would oiling them be a good or bad idea? if good, oil before or after the label is attached (i'm guessing after), and probably avoid the label. Will the oil dissolve he adhesive of the label or leave stains? Am I better off just not oiling them?

Definitely after, labels will not stick to oily surface.

[Midnight Rose]

Originally Posted by 7thSeat

Just put 50 chips at a time in an empty potatoe chips bag and shake it for a few seconds.

ooh, Shake N Bake!