Aging and weathering wood?

[Trooper_trent]

This isn't for a film prop, but I didn't think it belonged in the OT either. Mods feel free to put this where you think is best.

I collect unique musical instruments and have recently purchased a handmade double chamber ocarina. It's basically a wood flute of sorts that can play 2 notes at once. I want to give it some character and make it look old and worn. It's made of walnut and has a clean finish and is coated in laquer. It's a medium brown, but I'd like it to be darker, have a dull finish, and look very used.

I was just going to sand off the varnish (I won't do anything to affect the tuning or sound quality) and maybe score it up a bit before staining it.

Any special tips from those with experience in weathering wood, or anything I need to watch out for?

 

[Jaruemalak]

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I was just going to sand off the varnish (I won't do anything to affect the tuning or sound quality) and maybe score it up a bit before staining it.

Any special tips from those with experience in weathering wood, or anything I need to watch out for?

You might want to use a varnish/paint remover rather than sanding off the varnish. Varnish doesn't just coat the wood, it tends to soak in to the fine cracks and pores of the wood - a liquid remover works better. you can get "reasonably" non toxic varnish and paint removers.

For years, some of the shadier "antique" dealers would age wood by gently striking it with a small chain, poke tiny holes either with a punch or very small drill bit, and even use a wire brush.

I'd recommend the wire brush, again gently, to help scuff up the surface and even some very gentle work with the tip of an X-Acto knife to put a few surface cracks into the wood. Depending on how old you want it to look, you could also CAREFULLY pass it through the flame of a torch. You do not want to burn the wood, just darken it in places. Just be sure to test anything you do on some scrap wood first.

Don't spray on the stain, but rub it on using a cloth or q-tip or even a lambs wool dauber, like those used in leather work... looks like a big q-tip. This will make the stain go on a little unevenly, like some of the wood surface has faded over time.

The varnish could also be colored a little yellow, as if it has yellowed with age. If you use a petrolium based varnish, you can color it with a bit of oil paint, or even oil based model paint, if you can find any. An acrylic varnish can be colored with acrylic paint. Another trick is to find some very fine colored powder and mix a little with the varnish... this works with any type of varnish and looks great; just don't mix too much into it. Just enough to barely color it. After it is dry, go over it with some 0 or 00 steel wool to dull it down and make it look more worn.

I've used these tricks to age wood for years when making props and it works great.

 

[quiznak]

I would recommend taking a picture of yourself holding the instrument so that you a reference for where you are likely to handle the instrument. Then focus your weathering more on those areas so that it looks well used rather than just old.

If do end up scoring it, using chains, boring small holes, etc. you may want to go to a lumber yard and pick up a piece of walnut to practice with This way you can get a feel for the density of the material (you could also test your stain it).

 

[Trooper_trent]

Thanks for the ideas guys. It helps a lot!