Shortline Modelers Lounge

Story and Photos by Shawn Branstetter,

When I first started in the hobby one of my biggest challenges was staining wood. It was to me what a blank piece of paper is to someone who can’t draw, frightening. I didn’t understand that I could practice on scrap first and then tackle the real stuff. Now I know there a million articles in magazines all across the globe which have done “how-to’s” on this subject, however, this one is targeted to the very beginner.

Like I mentioned in the beginning, it is always a good idea to practice, whatever the modeling technique, on your scrap first. Get the feel for the medium. Wood has many different properties and takes stains differently. Additionally, study different types of wood construction and see how nature affects wood, painted, stained and unfinished. Mic Greenburg and Chuck Doan have mastered the art of working with wood and I try to use their photos as inspiration as much as possible.

Photo by THEPALMER, istockphoto.com

Tools

The tools I use are quite simple: a hard wire brush, a soft paint brush, black India ink, a plastic container and RUSTALL.

Technique

Start by using the hard wire brush to “weather” the wood. This is used to give some character to the wood. Again, there is no standard. If it looks right to me that is when I stop. Sometimes I will use some fine sandpaper to remove any shaving left behind from the brush. You may also use a razor blade to add knot and nail holes to give more of a weathered appearance.

I add a half-a-cup of water to two or three drops of India ink in my plastic bowl. (Please note that using water can warp the wood. I like the effect. Some people will use rubbing alcohol with great results.)

I use a liberal amount of “stain” on my brush and follow the grain of the wood. I cover the area to be stained and let it dry. I add a couple of coats and then add some more weathering effects with my wire brush. I will then add another coat of stain.

Once you have the desired effect, that is it.

You can further your weathered effects by adding dirt to high traffic areas.

Again, this tutorial is an intro to weathering wood. There are many articles on this subject and as you get more comfortable with staining wood I encourage you to read them. And always, practice, practice, practice.

Further reading

Westlake Publishing Forums
The Terrapin Narrow Gauge Society