Suggestions / Quick Way To Age Wood

[Mark and Kim Smith]

Redwood, Cedar , Douglas Fir. Is there a quick way to make this stuff look aged? You know, that neat silvery look that comes from years of being out in the sun and weather? Thanks!

[George]

How about intense exposure to water, heat, high-energy UV and ozone? That's what they do in labs.

[bridger]

any strong alkali will give you the silver color. lye is sold as a drain cleaner at hardware stores.

if you want the raised grain, work it over with a wire brush first.

[Icepick]

[Ed Angell]

On cedar, you can use iron sulfate from the local nursery to generate the gray color. You might try a sample of the other woods to see if they will go gray. Use about 8 oz. of iron sulfate to 1 gallon of water. After you achieve the color you want, rinse the wood very well and dry. This solution will stain concrete so be careful.

Ed Angell

[Mark and Kim Smith]