Aging wood

[Mike L Hasler]

I have a small problem, looking to give an aged appearance to a piece of cedar. Don't have a year to gain it, any suggestions from my go to guys?

[carver33]

Mike,

Not sure what you are trying to achieve. Can you be a little more specific?

[Mike L Hasler]

Looking for a natural looking oxidation of the cedar, on cedar after a fresh cut it's typically a bright orange-red color, looking to change it back to a light tan color. Hope that makes sense

[carver33]

Not sure how to achieve that look in a hurry. Heat, maybe? If you have some scrap to experiment with, try heating in an oven for a few hours or VERY gently heating with a torch.

Maybe someone else will chime in with some better suggestions.

[mobjack68]

mix a teaspoon of table salt in a spray bottle with warm water (warm water makes the salt dissolve). spray the cedar and put it in the sun. Will need several applications...turned my oak project gray in about 6 days...I applied the water mix about 3 times a day.

If you are not interested in wetting the cedar (I understand if you are reluctant) if you can get the wood pieces in DIRECT sunlight...window sill..sliding glass door...dashboard of your car (makes the car smell like the gerbils) etc....it will soften the red/orange some, but it will take some time.
Since ultraviolet is the key to all of this??? I guess that a tanning bed would work as well...hhmmm...coffee cup is empty again...let us know what the prognosis is??