Distressing Wood
Belated thanks to all who responded to my question. Art Walker
Re: Distressing wood
The vinegar/steel wool method is a recent favorite of mine--use just as
Trot described. The "simulated" rust effect on painted surfaces is
absolutely magnificent--especially since it isn't really "simulated" at
all. It *is* rust.
Word of caution with the vinegar/steel wool solution. It reacts to
different woods differently. Basswood turns a reddish grey, while balsa
turns brown. Cedar turns anywhere from grey to black. This may have
something to do with the strength of the solution as well as the type of
wood, so test a small piece of the wood first to see how the solution
will react. Note also that the reaction isn't an instantaneous thing.
When treating wood, it will take a few minutes to change color. When
using it on painted surfaces for a rust treatment, it will often take a
few days to achieve the full results. This is largely dependent on the
amount of moisture present in the air. I would imagine you'll get
quicker results across the pond than what I get here in the arid
Colorado climate.
Before "weathering" the wood, I usually run over it with a bit of 60
grit sandpaper to give it a bit of a texture. Some people use razor saws
or broken hack-saw blades to do the same thing. I think the "grain"
looks entirely too parallel then, so I just use the sandpaper. If I want
to simulate a small split or something like that, I'll break out the
X-acto knife and carve one in.
For the ends of the beam, I do use a razor saw. I spin it around to cut
in the rings. Again, the depth and amount is up to you. An X-acto knife
can then be used to carve in the cracks on the end.
Art, If you saw my mogul ("Phillips") at DH, then you saw examples of
using the steel wool/vinegar solution for weathering both wood and
painted surfaces.
Other examples exist on my web site:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/kcstrong/trr/TRRHomepage.html
Click on "rolling stock" to look at a flat car whose deck was done with
the vinegar solution. Under "motive power," look at TRR#3 to see
examples of using the solution for weathering.
Later,
K
Re: Distressing wood
Art Walker I have found that to "distress" wood you should brush it with a steel wire brush first and then color it any way you want. The brushing should be done WITH the grain, not across the grain. - Original Message - From: "mart.towers" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Multiple recipients of sslivesteam" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2004 3:07 AM Subject: Distressing wood > I need to 'distress' the pilot & tender beams on a US Mogul. Beams are of > white hardwood (ramin). Wire wool & vinegar is in my mind, but how is this > used? Is the wool allowed to decay in the vinegar for a while? Is the wood > just soaked in the mixture or scrubbed with the wool? > Those wot know please refresh my mind. > > Art Walker > > >
Re: Distressing wood
Landon, I have found that to "distress" wood you should brush it with a steel wire brush first nd then color it any way you want. The brushing should be done WITH the grain, not across the grain. Arthur Mexico City - Original Message - From: "Landon Solomon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Multiple recipients of sslivesteam" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2004 4:50 AM Subject: RE: Distressing wood
RE: Distressing wood
Place a bit of steel wool (NOT stainless steel, use the cheap mild-steel stuff) in your vinegar and leave it for a week or so. Once it stops disolving (I used too much the first time) remove whatever is still solid. The liquid will have a bunch of gunk on the bottom which is shaken up and then brushed right onto the wood. It also works on painted stuff to simulate rust. You may wish to physically distress the wood first (cut/rough it up) but I haven't played with that yet. : ] Trot, the fox with some really rusty-looking wheels... | /\_/\ TrotFox \ Always remember, | ( o o ) AKA Landon Solomon\ "There is a | >\_/< [EMAIL PROTECTED] \ third alternative." From: "mart.towers" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I need to 'distress' the pilot & tender beams on a US Mogul. Beams are of white hardwood (ramin). Wire wool & vinegar is in my mind, but how is this used? Is the wool allowed to decay in the vinegar for a while? Is the wood just soaked in the mixture or scrubbed with the wool? Those wot know please refresh my mind. Art Walker _ Optimize your Internet experience to the max with the new MSN Premium Internet Software. http://click.atdmt.com/AVE/go/onm00200359ave/direct/01/
Distressing wood
I need to 'distress' the pilot & tender beams on a US Mogul. Beams are of white hardwood (ramin). Wire wool & vinegar is in my mind, but how is this used? Is the wool allowed to decay in the vinegar for a while? Is the wood just soaked in the mixture or scrubbed with the wool? Those wot know please refresh my mind. Art Walker
