I need to construct a couple of step ladders for a stage play and when
I am finished they need to look 50 - 100 years old. Without working
very, very slowly - how can I get that grey aged look on pine?

Mekon

"Mekon" wrote in message
. ..
I need to construct a couple of step ladders for a stage play and when I am
finished they need to look 50 - 100 years old. Without working very, very
slowly - how can I get that grey aged look on pine?

Mekon

Cabot's Bleaching Oil leaves a sort of driftwood effect.

Mekon wrote:

| I need to construct a couple of step ladders for a stage play and
| when I am finished they need to look 50 - 100 years old. Without
| working very, very slowly - how can I get that grey aged look on
| pine?

I've got some old (75-100 yo) barn siding in my shop that I've been
thinking of making into picture frames. The problem with using it is
that cut edges don't look so old and I've been thinking about how I
might age them.

The best idea I've come up with so far has been to hit the wood with
low-grit number sandpaper for a bit of surface napping - then follow
with some gray paint thinned to color - but not hide - the pine's
grain pattern.

I haven't tried the method yet, but a test should be quick and easy.
If you give it a try, please let me know how well it works for you.

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/solar.html

Mekon wrote:

I need to construct a couple of step ladders for a stage play and when I
am finished they need to look 50 - 100 years old. Without working very,
very slowly - how can I get that grey aged look on pine?


Never yet saw an old ladder that wasn't splattered with paint of many
colors.

Lew

A wire brush chucked in your drill would work better than
sandpaper. Alternatively charring the wood slightly with a
torch and then using a hand held wire brush would achieve
the same effect albeit with some added color.

Art

"Morris Dovey" wrote in message
...

The best idea I've come up with so far has been to hit the wood with
low-grit number sandpaper for a bit of surface napping - then follow
with some gray paint thinned to color - but not hide - the pine's
grain pattern.

I haven't tried the method yet, but a test should be quick and easy.
If you give it a try, please let me know how well it works for you.

Considering the fact that no one will be closer than say 30 to 40 feet and
most will be 100' away, I don't think you have to go overboard with the
aging. I little gray stain and/or black streaks should work fine.

As with stage makeup, you may have to exaggerate the decoration if you have
to make sure the wood looks old. Like if the ladders being old is part of
the story.

"Mekon" wrote in message
. ..
I need to construct a couple of step ladders for a stage play and when I am
finished they need to look 50 - 100 years old. Without working very, very
slowly - how can I get that grey aged look on pine?

Mekon

After serious thinking Mekon wrote :
I need to construct a couple of step ladders for a stage play and when I am
finished they need to look 50 - 100 years old. Without working very, very
slowly - how can I get that grey aged look on pine?

Mekon

Thanks all, I'll post pics when it is at that stage.

Mekon

"Mekon" wrote in message
. ..
I need to construct a couple of step ladders for a stage play and when I am
finished they need to look 50 - 100 years old. Without working very, very
slowly - how can I get that grey aged look on pine?

Mekon



You could get some old fence pickets.

You could paint them with light gray oil based paint thinned very thin. coat
and wipe until you get the desired look
"Leon" wrote in message
t...

"Mekon" wrote in message
. ..
I need to construct a couple of step ladders for a stage play and when I
am finished they need to look 50 - 100 years old. Without working very,
very slowly - how can I get that grey aged look on pine?

Mekon



You could get some old fence pickets.

Mekon writes:
I need to construct a couple of step ladders for a stage play and when
I am finished they need to look 50 - 100 years old. Without working
very, very slowly - how can I get that grey aged look on pine?

The suggestion of using old fence pickets is kinda misplaced, as fresh
cuts will really stand out.

I don't know of many tricks... probably going to have to use paint.
do your dents and dings first:

throw down some concrete steps a few times.

cover hands/shoes with chalk, and move/climb the ladder a bit. "wear" these
areas with some sandpaper.

Perhaps a light sandblast or high pressure water can get the worn wood
look where the growth rings pop.

once that's done... perhaps paint/tint with dilute grey paint, enough to
fill pores but not enough to totally obscure grain.


Have you tried alt.stagecraft?

--
flip
Just on the border of your waking mind, There lies - Another time,
Where darkness & light - are one. And as you tread the halls of sanity,
You feel so glad to be, Unable to go beyond. ELO - Twilight Prologue
In my email replace SeeEmmYou.EeeDeeYou with CMU.EDU

wrote :
Mekon writes:
I need to construct a couple of step ladders for a stage play and when
I am finished they need to look 50 - 100 years old. Without working
very, very slowly - how can I get that grey aged look on pine?

The suggestion of using old fence pickets is kinda misplaced, as fresh
cuts will really stand out.

I don't know of many tricks... probably going to have to use paint.
do your dents and dings first:

throw down some concrete steps a few times.

cover hands/shoes with chalk, and move/climb the ladder a bit. "wear" these
areas with some sandpaper.

Perhaps a light sandblast or high pressure water can get the worn wood
look where the growth rings pop.

once that's done... perhaps paint/tint with dilute grey paint, enough to
fill pores but not enough to totally obscure grain.


Have you tried alt.stagecraft?

Not yet, but will do.
Thanks

Mekon

On Mon, 09 Apr 2007 21:25:35 GMT, Mekon
wrote:

wrote :
Mekon writes:
I need to construct a couple of step ladders for a stage play and when
I am finished they need to look 50 - 100 years old. Without working
very, very slowly - how can I get that grey aged look on pine?
..

once that's done... perhaps paint/tint with dilute grey paint, enough to
fill pores but not enough to totally obscure grain.


Have you tried alt.stagecraft?

Not yet, but will do.
Thanks

If I remember diluted black, water based gives a nice gray wood
appearance to pine when lighted. That would be about as thick as tea.

Mark
(sixoneeight) = 618