Aging A Pine Base Plug

[Tim Crosby]

 The other day Nate Stephenson posted on a source for Pine and mentioned some horns he had that have Pine bases.
 When I use flat boards for bases I try and find the pieces with the tightest grain. Anytime I use Pine I always save the scraps with the tightest grain for bases. First Pic you can see an example, the second is where it has been fit into a small horn, natural shape, next shows the grain standing out. I do this using a Brass  bristle brush on the lath, just let it run with the grain and it will clean out the softer wood. Once stained or coated with Brown wax it takes on an aged look.












anonymous image sites

[rich pierce]

I like the brushing technique to bring out the grain. Have you stained pine with AQF?  Great color.

[EricEwing]

Thanks Tim! Good tip

[Tim Crosby]

I like the brushing technique to bring out the grain. Have you stained pine with AQF?  Great color.

 No I have not, hadn't even thought about it. I will give it a try.

  Tim

[wattlebuster]

Pretty cool. I wouldnt have thought of that. But then again they dont allow me to do much thinking

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Very cool trick.

Cory Joe Stewart

[David Rase]

I see a lot of new horn builders here who never knew or are not familiar with Ron Ehlert.  I will say no more.
David 

[Majorjoel]

Hey Tim, your ruffles have rrrrridges!!

Very nice! Well done!

[Gun Butcher]

Once again a great way to get where you want to go.

Ron

[Marcruger]

I learned a little trick that might work well with that technique. from "American Restorations" of all places.  Once you've sunken the soft grain, dilute some black paint with paint thinner.  Wipe it on and set it soak in.  Once dry, sand the surface, leaving the black in the soft grain.  Then stain as normal. It really promotes that "antique" look.  Similar process to some of the staining methods folks use on longrifles.