The Framers Forum

Hello fellow framers

I am going to have a go at using some rotton stone to age a gilt frame that is almost perfect for my customer, it's just a bit to new looking, has anyone got any tips on this or any other aging system.

Thanks in advance

Darren.

give it to ya kids for an hr, will age it about 100 years

Lol I might just try that, it worked a treat on my phone.

Go to advanced search and enter 'rottenstone' as the key word and Prospero as the author - e.g. .......

http://theframersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9786

Gooogle it and you get this....



Anyhow, if the frame has ornate sections or natural little grooves and crevices then the stuff will naturally collect in them. If it's mostly flat then the effect is less noticeable. You can encourage it the stick by waxing the frame first. Don't polish it. Just brush on wax all over and wipe off the excess. Leave awhile until the solvent dries and then liberally dust all over - working in around with a big paintbrush. Then get a rag and polish it.
You can varnish the frame and wait until it's tacky and then dust over. The dust will stick better. This is a bit hit-and-miss however. It's hard to control and the results can be unpredictable. You can end up with a mucky mess. A lot depends on just how the frame has been finished. A trad gilder's method for dulling water-gilded surfaces is to apply rottenstone mixed with bunny glue. Never tried it.

Try the wax method first. It's safer.


***As well as using rottenstone you can give the whole frame a coat of very diluted emulsion paint. White will dry to a light grey. It will bead up as you put it on, but the trick is to keep brushing it with a fairly dry brush as it dries. Wipe it off as you go, but not too much. Dab it with a paper towel for a mottled effect. This will work great on some finishes, but not so good on others. Adding a dab of black to the paint will produce a darker effect. It will look a lot darker on the frame than in the can.

Thanks Prospero the frame is http://www.arqadia.co.uk/productdetails ... =741000247

It isn't a expensive frame so I can spare a bit for experimentation.

If it turns out OK why not make up a chevron and put it on display with a mark up to cover the hand finishing.

good Idea J2M

Thank you prospero, the wax first worked an absolute treat with minimal effort, my customer loves the effect, and I am making a corner out of it J2m.

What it looks like before.

Magic!