Replies

1. 
   DaveP | Dec 20, 2001 04:39pm | #1

   *
   Hi Brent,

   My wife and I like the rustic pine look also. I've had good luck on a couple of recent projects, as follows:

   I built a large boot bench for the garage using 2X6 framing lumber (albeit carefully selected stuff that wasn't twisted or split!), and am putting the finishing touches on a variant of Norm's cedar-lined pine blanket chest. I used 3/4" pine from HD but not the "premium" stuff, the knots add character.

   Since "discovering" it, there is only one stain I'll use anymore: Zar oil-based. It goes on pine beautifully with no blotchies, and doesn't need a pre-stain treatment. One or two coats rubbed in with a cloth gives you a fantastic rustic look. Their polyurathane finish is great too, although lately I've been using tung oil a lot.

   For that rustic look, it's also best to NOT go nuts trying to get a perfect surface, i.e. lots of sanding down through the grits. A few saw marks and dings add character. I'll usually stop with a light sanding with 150, tho I went to 220 with the blanket chest.

1. 
   Don_Hoover | Jan 06, 2002 08:02am | #2

   *What color stain, whether with the Zar noted above, Minwax, or whatever, do you use to get the rustic pine look?

1. 
   Steve_Conroy | Jan 29, 2002 05:31am | #3

   *Hi Brent,I've had a number of jobs that required matching new pine to naturally aged unfinished pine, having a range of hues from amber to brown. I have not found a stain that didn't look like stain when put next to the truly rustic stuff. So I researched a bit and learned about using diluted chemical solutions to produce a naturally aged look.This may or may not be for you and your project, but you can use a number of readily available chemicals, such as lye. The two I use most often are nitric acid and ferric oxide. These are both available from chemical supply houses, they supply high schools et al. Look in hte phone book.Nitric acid, my favorite for pine, when diluted about 6 to 1, can be brushed on in small sections. Be sure to where gloves and eye protection, and avoid fumes. Soon after applying the dilution take a heat gun or blow dryer to it. YOu should see a change of color happen before your eyes, from green to gray to amber/brown. It really looks great. Now, don't let it dry completely before heating it, otherwise it becomes greenish gray and takes more time with the heat gun to change the color.For whatever its worth, Steve

1. 
   Steve_Schefer | Jan 29, 2002 07:27pm | #4

   *Don, I use golden oak stain on #2 pine to get the rustic look. It's usually about 1 shade lighter on the first application than I want it. That way I can fine tune the depth of color because I know how much to apply and how long to leave it on.