How do you weather new bass wood to look like old sun bleached never been painted oak? I see it a lot in narrow gauge lumber layouts but have never read or figured out how to get that silver tan gray color. FRED
Fred,
If you leave it outdoors in the sun and weather for a couple years nature will do it for you [:)]
Dave
Avondale, AZ
Try experimenting with a wash made from few drops of India ink in alcohol - vary the ink/alcohol ratio.
(Or you could just try using DCC, since it seems to eliminate all the world’s problems.) [:D][:D]
Alcohol and shoe dye is a classic. Quick and easy. Black shoe dye dissolved in alcohol. I have a dedicated “dye jar”
Both of these methods make the wood darker. I want sun bleached.
Hi Fred,
You described the colour you want as “that silver tan gray color”. I have found that basswood strips retain some of their tan colour if you use a really dilute alcohol/ink mix. Like a babyfood jar full of alcohol to one or two drops of India ink. No more. Thatway the original colour of the basswood (tan) shows through the beginnings of weathering (silver gray).
If that doesn’t work, you can try experimenting with bleach, dry brushing with tan, sand and off-white, or other approaches.
Let us know how it works out.
Andrew
I already tried brushing on bleach, I didn’t see any color change. I have tried acrylic washes. I’ll try india ink again at your formula. The one I used was lots stronger. I am trying to weather some scratch built and kit cars I purchased to look really old. I think I messed up at first as I used white glue to build them so I can’t soak them or leave them outside. FRED
Try drybrushing as you would with when weathering a plastic or a brass model.
Consider the colour of the wood as if it was just painted plastic.
Jon
You have to be careful when building with wood and white glue that you don’t get any of the glue on the surfaces to be weathered. I recommend weathering the wood before you build.
I know, I know, you want to get on and build it, but after several wood structures I came to the conclusion (that everyone had been telling me) that weather first, then build, then touch up.
You might want to try DullCoat directly on the wood, followed by a straight alcohol wash. This will “cloud” the DullCoat. It can be an effective way to make paint look faded, so you might want to give it a shot.
I really enjoy working with wood kits and scratchbuilding. I usually use the wood glue that is waterproof, or gel superglue to avoid joints coming undone when putting on finishing coat of weathering.
I don’t think I have seen the colour you describe - most of the barns around here are made of pine, which goes a silvery-grey colour, even in full sun.
Andrew
Fred,
Two more ways: 1. Try Olympic or Sherwin Williams “Driftwood” Stain. Both are good but produce different color variations. Test first. Thin out and work up to full color. 2. Try acrylic paints from WalMart, etc. Pick a nice grey color and thin it out with water. Test it until you get the mix you like. After staining, I use “Antique White” acrylic highlights drybrushed on. Both of these are cheapie solutions to the end result.
Rick[:)]
Years ago Floquil made driftwood stain also. I don’t know if they still do or not. You could aslo try somewhere like Home Depot or a paint store for stain. A quart should last for the rest of your life.
I intend on living a long time! I have been looking for driftwood stain but the locals don’t stock, so tomorrow its roadtrip to Springfield Mo to lowes, home depot, and others? I think that’s what I want, so… thanks for the help. I have used many acrylics and have been less than happy with any of the colors I get on this project. I can’t get the color and variations I want with acrylics.
Fred,
There is one more way to attain your Driftwood look. There was a formula given on one of the Yahoo train groups a few weeks ago that allows you to mix Olympic stains and come out with an exact match for the Floquil. Floquil is out of business as far as the stains go. I’ll see if i can find the formula and post it for you. Also, there is a company called Roundbell that makes a driftwood stain that is very similar to the Floquil, however, I have not tried it and the word is that there is much less pigment in these products. I’ll keep trying. You may want to try joining the Fine Scale Miniatures list on Yahoo, as that is where the knowledge is in kit construction.
Their address is:
Roundbell Hobby Products
1414 North Horseshoe Dr.
Sugar Land Texas 77478
713-667-7762…this is the # I reached them at, but their receipt says:
713-662-0809
Good Luck
Rick Ludlow
Shayon30
I’ve had good luck with a product from A-West called “weather-it.” It can be diluted with distilled water to give the level of weathering desired.
I believe another cheap stain is steel wool dissolved in vineagar.
Thanks rkdave… I have used that in the past but was told that the maker went belly up and didn’t remember who made it to look it up. I was mislead, they are still in business. I’ll order some next order. I never could find anyone stocking minwax driftwood stain or any other brand for that matter. Every place I checked would send me somewhere else. I went to 7 stores including lowes and home depot before I got tired and gave up. I’ll also try vinegar and steel wool. Just for info of others reading this later, a darking stain can be made from ripe walnut hulls and alcohol. Beware, it stains hand bad. FRED
ther was an article in RAILROAD MODEL CRAFTSMAN in the 80s about weathering wood with steel wool in vinegar, but it also said that different things in the vinegar will give yo different shades. I rememember, the author said to try dropping some pennies into it, for example, and see what happens.
Micro-Mark has a product called “Age It EASY” that I think might do what you want. You can look it up at; www.micromark.com Have fun.
brush on chalk like black board stuff makes a good effect
How do you weather new bass wood to look like old sun bleached never been painted oak? I see it a lot in narrow gauge lumber layouts but have never read or figured out how to get that silver tan gray color. FRED