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I'm sick of my builds where's the blowtorch. Tips on Distressing anyone?

Posted by Braxton Nagle on September 16, 2011 at 10:47pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

I'm always super impressed with builds by~ Bone-ified, Old Lowe & Bairfoot Cajun

I really think they really nail the spirit of cbg's (in my humble opinion)

So folks, any tips on aging or distressing on wood, plastics, metal?

Also, who have I missed that have a similar aesthetic?

 

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Replies

  • Keith Duncan October 11, 2011 at 10:53pm
    i have used a sand blaster at a lower pressure on various part's  on the wood box's i do the same but turn the blasting head at an angle and blast the wood and it give's it a weathered and worn look with slight to heavy gouges and the grain depending on the pressure and angle.
  • The Phrygian Kid October 11, 2011 at 6:21am
    *like*

    Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) said:
    Play the shit out of it for five years or so.  Wash, rinse, repeat.
  • Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) October 11, 2011 at 1:19am
    Play the shit out of it for five years or so.  Wash, rinse, repeat.
  • Slowpaw Steve T September 19, 2011 at 6:40am

    There is a rust-proofing aerosol spray in dark brown that does a lovely distressing job, check out my Hobo...

     

    Hobo

  • Wade September 18, 2011 at 10:05pm

     

    I learned this trick accidentally. You can distress wood by being too lazy to put your tools away on your small workbench. as you lay the box across, files, nails, screws - you start to get some nice character to the box. finish with a light sanding and a coat of amber shellac.

  • Mark September 17, 2011 at 4:28am
    That vinegar and metal woodstain trick works differently on different woods. When it works (eg. on oak) it is pretty cool how the colour changes in front of your eyes. You can also use a solution of iron sulphate in water (iron sulphate is sometimes sold as a lawn treatment). The chemistry is essentially the same - it's iron reacting with tannins in the wood.

    I did some experiments and out the results here: http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/albums/wood-stain-experiments

    Getting an aged or road-worn look is then a case of developing a bit of skill with abrasives.
  • Mark September 17, 2011 at 4:28am
    That vinegar and metal woodstain trick works differently on different woods. When it works (eg. on oak) it is pretty cool how the colour changes in front of your eyes. You can also use a solution of iron sulphate in water (iron sulphate is sometimes sold as a lawn treatment). The chemistry is essentially the same - it's iron reacting with tannins in the wood.

    I did some experiments and out the results here: http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/albums/wood-stain-experiments

    Getting an aged or road-worn look is then a case of developing a bit of skill with abrasives.
  • the anonymous pick September 17, 2011 at 4:17am

    red cider  vinegar  and  #0000 steel wool  .  soak a roll  of  steal wool  in  the vinegar ,  use it as   wood stain .

    thats what i did on this   crazy build  ,,  http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/tea-n-tea-build-unvail-ta-da    but i wanted a light  aging   (barnboard look)   so i only  soaked it   for about 3  hours , not the recomended 24 hrs ..  longer soak =  darker stain .

    in that video  the 2 boxes were almost  yelow/white  new wood , the neck was new wood and   almost white   ,,and  thats  how it turned out .

     

    ps .. when you apply it    you got  to wait about a min or two  for the wood to start to change color .  its kinda cool  to watch the reaction .  ;-)

  • Roosterman September 17, 2011 at 3:47am

    I have done a fair few distressed builds, though not in the same league as the mentioned icons. I tend to do 'battered to hell and back' rather than 'aged beauty' lol

    Ageing plastics; lightly wire wool to break the surface, then use wood stain. Tea / nicotine / coffe are said to work, but in my experience its slow and not very effective.

    Metals; Mix vinegar (with salt if need be) with some scrap copper or coins. Dunk your metalware in it for copper plating. Use neat to give steel a duller look.

    Wood;  Stains, waxes, polishes, paints - its all good. Sand the edges and high contact areas after finish to give the road worn feel. Kick around the workshop floor for the battered look. Attack with bunch of keys, bike chain, blowtorch, dog etc for uncared for look....

     

  • Clock The Wolf September 17, 2011 at 12:00am
    Charlie Kimbler... Charlie MOJO. I've got one of his... it's spraypainted black, then sanded down to quite awesome effect. My one "successful" build... that means it sort of works... looks distressed, but this is because it keeps falling apart :(
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