Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Sep 22, 2007 12:41pm | #1

   There used to be a product called something like "Old Growth", which had several variants, which was a 2-part solution that created the look of age.  That's no longer on the market, but someone must know about the chemistry involved. 

   I've never found greyish stains to look very convincing. 

   Cabot's has a product called Bleaching Oil.  I has white cedar shingles with that material applied.  It looks a little like a pickling stain now, but is supposed to help the process of turning the shingles grey, but that's still a matter of months and years in the outdoors. 

2. 
   forestgirl | Sep 22, 2007 05:01pm | #2

   If you don't have any luck here at Knots, this might be an interesting question to ask Jeff Jewitt at Homestead Finishing ( http://www.homesteadfinishing.com ) in his forum.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   quietude | Sep 22, 2007 06:58pm | #3

   As usual thank you so much for your help.  If I get an answer from Jeff, I will pass it on to you as well.

   luke

1. 
   bigfootnampa | Sep 23, 2007 06:03pm | #4

   I would use some chlorine bleach on them... it tends to take them toward a very light grayish bleached look.  I would follow that with a grey stain and glazes as needed.  For a skilled faux artist it is not a difficult look to acheive.  I don't have that in my samples though as I haven't been called upon for such a look.  My brother did it with an oak frame that he fumed and then glazed.

   There are some commercial stain/glaze kits designed for this look. 

   Edited 9/23/2007 11:05 am ET by bigfootnampa

3. 
   [email protected] | Sep 23, 2007 06:34pm | #5

   I would try chlorine bleach or a sodium hypochlorite drain cleaner, (the drain cleaner is just higher concentration chlorine bleach), with either gloves, old clothes and a face shield are highly recommended, and if you get them on your skin wash them off immediately. 

   Another possible would be the hydrogen peroxide bleach the beauty supply places sell.  It is stronger than that which is sold at the drug store.  Again old clothes, gloves and at least safety glasses are advised. 

   With both chemicals a good series of water rinses would be necessary to clean things up at the end.