help getting a natural finish

RichT · #1 01-20-2006, 10:16 PM

I have just finished several carvings and some of the basswood that I have used has a white/green cast to it as opposed to the others that have a nice warm tone. I have wood burned some designs in the warm toned pieces and like the natural look. My problem is how can I get the same look on the greenish carvings? Do I need to try and stain them to match? Is that even possible? I'm thinking of just white washing all of them to get them to look the same. If I have to resort to that does anyone have a good technique? I appreciate any help you can offer.

Plain_Ol_Ed · #2 01-20-2006, 10:36 PM

You could bleach them. Ordinary household bleach kind of works, but doesn't do nearly as well as the two part wood bleach available at most home centers. Look in the paint/stain section.

Nancy-ID · #3 01-21-2006, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichT

I have just finished several carvings and some of the basswood that I have used has a white/green cast to it as opposed to the others that have a nice warm tone. I have wood burned some designs in the warm toned pieces and like the natural look. My problem is how can I get the same look on the greenish carvings? Do I need to try and stain them to match? Is that even possible? I'm thinking of just white washing all of them to get them to look the same. If I have to resort to that does anyone have a good technique? I appreciate any help you can offer.

Don't know if we are talking about the same thing, but I have found with basswood that any area of the carving that is a dirty grayish color is the end grain. It requires a lot of sanding . . .sanding . . .sanding. I start with something like 320 grit and then work up, 400, 600, 800, 1000 and then rub with a brown paper bag. I end up with nice grain showing and as smooth as glass. As far as staining, I found the basswood soaks it up too much and unevenly, so I treat the wood with Linseed oil first. Just brush it on and let it site an hour or two. The stain then goes on smoother and without over staining in the first coat. Hope maybe some of this helps.

RichT · #4 01-21-2006, 06:59 PM

Thanks to both of you... I'll experiment with what you've suggested.