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Tried using a black tea wash to age some new pine and it came out looking like a bad spray tan.

Followed a recipe I saw online, steeped a whole box of cheap tea for an hour, brushed it on. Instead of a nice, even patina, it dried in these weird, blotchy orange streaks. The wood looked dirty, not aged. I think the tannin content in this specific pine was way too low for it to work right. Should have just used a proper dye stain. Anyone have a go-to method for faking age on softwoods that doesn't involve unpredictable kitchen ingredients?
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3 Comments
riley43
riley439d ago
Try a vinegar and steel wool stain instead.
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the_emery
the_emery9d ago
Oh man, that is the real deal. I tried that on a pine table last year and it looked amazing, like real aged barn wood. The trick is letting the steel wool sit in the vinegar for a full day, maybe two. It makes this gray wash that gets into the grain perfectly. Just be ready for a pretty strong smell while you're working with it.
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kellyjones
That whole DIY stain trend is so hit or miss.
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