Aging wood

[Graysalchemy]

I seem to remember there was a thread here which had an excellent recipe for ageing wood to make it go silver and oxidised, but for the life of me I can't find it searching high and low.

I have a chain of restaurants which have to look like a Thai market and the frames need to be made of old timber. Last time I used some old wood lying around which had been weathered for a good few years. I have got another one in 3 weeks to do and so I don't have anytime to weather the wood naturally.

I don't really want to do a paint effect I actually want to turn the wood grey.

Any assistance would be gratefully received.

Thanks

Alistair

[red]

wood finishing, an art and science! lots of info on the web re woodfinishing worth a search
also morrells may be able to help?

good luck

[Graysalchemy]

Are yes Morrells my dad used to use them.

[Graysalchemy]

I think I have found it now wire wool and vinegar and cold tea.

[David McCormack]

http://theframersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=14544

Here's the link for others who maybe interested Yorkshire tea will probably be best, my workshop standard brew

[Jamesnkr]

3 weeks to do and so I don't have anytime to weather the wood naturally.

No... Isn't there a fence somewhere nearby that won't miss a few panels? Or a stack of old pallets?

Portland cement is supposed to do the trick, I remember NYAF posting once that it turns oak the colour of an old school desk.

[Graysalchemy]

I used what wood was lying around on the last job. Pallets arent big enough though I do make frames from pallets for this job.

I will go to the timber yard and see if they have old damaged pieces that have been cast aside as well.

[prospero]

When my fence blew down I diligently saved all the nice weathered slats and put them in my shed.

They are still there if you want some.

Or you could try the vinegar and steel wool.

[Graysalchemy]

Yes vinegar and steel wool it will be I will go and get some this afternoon and get it made up ready to use next week.

Cheers

Any idea how I get algee and fungus to grow on it

[prospero]

Yes. put it outside and wait.

I've got stuff with mushrooms on it.

[JFeig]

Here is another technique for another finish.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonia_fuming

[Graysalchemy]

Some instructions ask for tea to be painted over it which is obviously the tannin which is the active ingredient. I have some tannin powder used in making my cider so I may give a solution of that a whizz otherwise It will be Yorkshire Tea (my favourite though you can get lancashire tea for those of us on the right side of the pennines).

[prospero]

Guess what brand I drink?

[IFGL]

I thought you were asking us about a problem with your wotnots when I saw the thread title, so glad it wasn't and that there's no pictures,

[vintage frames]

I think you'll find it's the tanin in the wood that reacts with the wire wool and vinegar.
One way to do it all is to bash the wood up a bit with a hammer, stone or other. Then go at it with a wire brush. Next brush on the vinegar wire wool solution and watch it go dark. If too dark, then scrub off a bit with scrubbing brush. When it's dry, sand back to reveal some of the unstained wood. It won't be silvery but should do the job anyway.

[Graysalchemy]

Well just been to a timber yard and they had a whole load of 4 x2 which has gone silver which they can't sell. They are going to machine it into 4 x 1 is. Anyway I will get 12 3.6m lengths for £18 a bargain.

I will have twice as much as I need but I will just store the rest of it outside to age some more.

[Not your average framer]

It's nice to be quoted as having all these wonderful recipes and ideas, but sorry this one was not me, but the credit for this one belongs to Geoff.

Here is the link to the right thread.

http://theframersforum.com/viewtopic.ph ... 6eb#p92535

It's amazing what you can find out on this forum!