[Pete Rieger]

HI gang, does anybody know of a way to get an ancient weathered look to a carving besides leaving it outside, or using gray paint? I seem to recall hearing of a chemical solution thet I could apply to achieve this look instantly. Anybody know about this?

[AlArchie]

That "weathered look" is more than just color and antiquing. Age (wear & tear, weather, etc) tends to evenly removesoft surfaces of the wood, leaving the harder parts of the grain a hair higher than the rest. There are several "quick" methods to assist Father Time, here.

First is sand blasting using eithr one of the air propellany kits, which will allow you to use some of the "resist" methods they suggest for added emphasis.

Second is wire wheel beffing of the carving or woodwork. Simply brush with the grain toemovesofter areas. This has worked well fer me,

Third, just try soaking the carving and drying it oy severalk times.....no sanding

Al

[Pete Rieger]

Thanks for the tips Al. I just found a site that suggested a lye solution would turn Douglas fir grey. I also learned lye is an alkaline solution of water and wood ashes. It might work on other woods as well. I think I'll get some and experiment. I wonder what the ph of your water is if simply wetting it works. I wonder if those solutions for spas pools aquariums etc. would work if indeeed the alkalinity is the key. Boy this woodcarving just keeps leading me down some unexpected roads. Love it!

[Alice in Wonderland]

I have used wood ashes before and it worked well , I wet the wood and use an old cloth and dipp it into the ashes rub into the wood I think I used it on Pine, I hope it helps
Alice

[Bandaid]

If you want a "barn wood" finish I've had success using the following:
Soak some nails in vinegar for a few days and use it for a stain. Sounds kind of hooky but it works. Be sure the nails aren't oily. Check the "elixir" from time to time to get the shade you want.

Hope this helps.

[Anthony Filetti]

Another method I had seen was Rick Butz using a torch to light burn the softer wood away, he used this technique on a decoy that was carved in white pine...

[BobD]

We've actually got an article in the next issue about antiquing your carving by applying dirty mineral spirits to your carving and lighting it on fire. The trick is to only apply a little mineral spirits and do your work over a non-flammable surface.

Bob