Hi, all…
I’m looking for paint or stain to apply to basswood to get that dark brown, almost black, color of creosote that you’d see on new ties, timbers, and trestles. I’ve tried MicroMark’s Tie and Bridge stain but I was disappointed with the results…it has a green tinge.
Any suggestions?
Bruce J.
On Balsa wood I have used a brown Sharpie Pen with good results.
I too have only tried it on Balsa, but Model Master “Burnt Umber” enamel paint has worked well for me, and it’s what I use to paint stacks of “new ties” that I make to set out on the right of way. It’s a nice dark brown, almost black, like the real thing. At least I think it looks and works good.
Noah
Try a dark brown water base stain. Then dilute some black water base paint and appy. Expieriment a bit first.
I keep a stock of craft paints in all colors.
Besure and visit the Banana fourum today.
Why dont these guys have a tap to show a photo like everyone else?
OGR is easy.
For the look of creosote on wood, try a dilute solution of India Ink and 70% Rubbing Alcohol. I immerse the wood in the stain for a few minutes and then set out to dry. They dry very quickly and can be used within an hour of the treatment.
An example: The ties on this bridge were done this way. These are made of Sugar Pine which is fairly dense. For balsa wood, make the solution very dilute and add ink until you get the look you are desiring.
For relatively recently placed and treated timber, use burnt umber, maybe with a bit of gray thrown in. If you want aged timbers, those that are sun-bleached, you’ll have to use a silver or light gray, and then wash with an india ink wash to get texture and shadowing.
