How do you get that 300 year old look on new oak?

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I've been doing a bit of "antiquing" recently (actually, what I've been doing borders on vandalism but that's what the customer wants :roll: :roll: ) but careful aplication of a hammer, possibly a chain on some surfaces. Nails knocked through a piece of wood work well to give a woodworm effect but otherwise an antique wax would be good as well.

Best of luck with it,

Richard
 
300 year old Oak would be pretty dark and not the same colour all over, personaly I would stain it with a diluted coat of Van Dyke Crystal solution, let it dry then take a damp cloth or sponge and rub it over giving a bit more 'wellie' in places, this will remove part of the stain as it is vulnerable until sealed, you may have to do this more than once, then seal it and use a shellac finish over the whole.
Derek.
 
I seem to recall that sandblasting produces part of the aged effect in some woods, however, I think this may be more appropriate for softer woods where the sandblasting creates a slightly raised grain (when done correctly).

When "stripped" pine was popular some vendors would get new pine furniture dipped (in caustic soda) even though it didn't need stripping. Not sure what effect this would have on oak but may be worthwhile slinging a small sample in the direction of your local strip joint...
 
matt":3w1uaui2 said:
may be worthwhile slinging a small sample in the direction of your local strip joint...

Getting wood in a strip joint Matt? I think you're on the wrong forum!!! :wink: :wink: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
Roger are you working on beams rather than furniture?
The blowtorch-wirebrush method is good for texture (serious fire hazard in a house though) I have tried the brush wheel sanders but got better 'character' with wire wheels in drills and a knot wheel in a slow angle-grinder.
For color,vandyke crystals,soot,BLO and waxes coloured with artists oils all help.
Matt
 
Thanks for the suggestions, chaps. It's for flooring and also some panels under the stairs.

Trying to fathom exactly what SWMBO means would test the powers of Hercule Poirot. We were in the workshop which has been built from oak frames and is about 8 years old. Got to talking about the beams. She said 'I like that one, that one and that one but not that one or that one'. What? FFS! It's oak. I couldn't tell the bloody difference. :shock:
 
I've been stripping beams recently that someone painted over a long while back. If I get the heat gun (hot air paint stripping gun) too hot then it darkens the wood alot - fine line between nice tone and charring the wood which then obscures the grain... but it appeals to the fire starter in me :)
Ed
 
EdK":24u6ujqt said:
I've been stripping beams recently that someone painted over a long while back. If I get the heat gun (hot air paint stripping gun) too hot then it darkens the wood alot - fine line between nice tone and charring the wood which then obscures the grain... but it appeals to the fire starter in me :)
Ed

Now that is a true labour of love. Me? I'd get the sandblaster in.
 
Look around the country for an old church being demolished,
they sell off all the old pews which were generally made from oak. A good source sadly getting less all the time.

John. B
 
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