So I had some time to play today.
Just to put all three pics together...here’s where I started:
Oiling definitely helped. Still very visible when you catch the light on it, but not really visible otherwise (“worst” pic I could capture):
I then went a bit bolder (well...probably a lot bolder). I grabbed a drywall sanding sponge and lightly went around the space outside of the innermost groove in small circles. It actually blurred things pretty well. If you catch the light on it, the background of the hot stamp and inside some of the hats is a bit darker but not enough that I think many would notice without me pointing it out. You can still see a bit of the square shape but again, only when you catch the light just right and hardly something that jumps out at you even then. Without catching the light on it, you can’t see it at all. The end result is pretty promising though (again, “worst” pic I could capture):
I’m going to keep playing with it but if this is the best I can do, I’d honestly be pleased!
Just to put all three pics together...here’s where I started:
Oiling definitely helped. Still very visible when you catch the light on it, but not really visible otherwise (“worst” pic I could capture):
I then went a bit bolder (well...probably a lot bolder). I grabbed a drywall sanding sponge and lightly went around the space outside of the innermost groove in small circles. It actually blurred things pretty well. If you catch the light on it, the background of the hot stamp and inside some of the hats is a bit darker but not enough that I think many would notice without me pointing it out. You can still see a bit of the square shape but again, only when you catch the light just right and hardly something that jumps out at you even then. Without catching the light on it, you can’t see it at all. The end result is pretty promising though (again, “worst” pic I could capture):
I’m going to keep playing with it but if this is the best I can do, I’d honestly be pleased!