Bleaching Cottonwood?

[Pracuss]

Has anyone tried to lighten the effect on cottonwood? I'm carving a series of "Hobbitat Homes" for a Spring (think spring) Show. I would like to lighten the tone of the carved wood. Searching for a way. Help me out people. Thanx!

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

There is a two part bleach designed for wood. Whether it will do as you want or not I don't know. Only way to find out is to try some on a piece of scrap. Home Depot stocked it the last time I looked, and I'd imaging most of the woodworking catalogs have it also.

[Mike L Hasler]

I'm thinking bleach may not do what your looking to do, your cottonWOOD looks more like bark! If it is did you use any glue to hold it together? Also, if your looking to lighten certain areas, I'd try a diluted GESSO to seal the bark, then use a wood stain on those areas, again, try on a scrap piece that has been treated the same way as your wonderful (as is) carvings, before touching those. Good luck!

[Clifford_Parker]

Mike,

That's because it IS cottonwood bark. No gluing required. (except for the occasional "oops" lol )

Pracuss,

Why do you want to lighten the wonderfully warm color of cottonwood bark? If you want light colored houses you could carve them in basswood or pine.