Replies

1. 
   NormInFujino | Aug 22, 2002 04:59pm | #1

   Do you mean as an accident or a deliberate technique? Here in Japan people frequently use yakisugi which is a rustic finish meaning "charred cryptomeria." It burns the softer inter-ring material while leaving the annular rings as higher ridges.
   Here's an example of burned sugi:

   View Image

   ". . .and only the stump or fishy part of him remained."

   Green Gables: A Contemplative Companion to Fujino Township

1. 
   riverr1 | Aug 22, 2002 05:25pm | #2

   Norm,

   That's an interesting technique, but it's not what I'm referring to. I have some old antique shutter type windows from Mexico that are for a Mexican Restaurant. I'm going to refinish them in a distressed look, seal them up and install them, then a muralist is going to paint scenes on the inside.

   Anyway, there were what I thought were burn marks, looked like charred wood, in places on the windows. I was told no, it's common in some areas of Mexico. Yesterday, while washing these windows down with a hose, they were filthy, a lot of paint came off, and bingo, under the paint was more of these burn marks. I got to thinking is this stuff is active in some way, I'd better make sure it's inactive before I install it in a restaurant. I did some web searches and found a number of fungi's that have this effect on wood, but none were found in arid, desert rgions. So, I'm still looking for a way to ensure I've cleaned this stuff up. It has somewhat the opposite effect of what you described. The softer rings are gone, and the harder annual rings are what is charred.

   With the myrid of experience with different woods here, just thought someone might have come across or have some info on this. Thanks for replying.

   Don

   Edited 8/22/2002 10:43:25 AM ET by Don C.