Oxidizing SYP

[rick7938]

My Grandmother left me a couple of pieces of furniture (folding travel desk and stool) made for her by my Grandfather in his shop when they were married in 1902. They appear to be built of tightly-grained SYP finished in orange shellac. Over the 104 years they have developed a really beautiful patina. I want to build a similar desk and stool for my Daughter-in Law to use in her den.

Questions:

1. Other than waiting another 104 years, will exposing SYP to direct sunlight for a couple of weeks prior to finishing create a reasonable start on the oxidation process?

2. Does it matter if it's finished or not during exposure?

3. Is it the shellac that has oxidized rather than the wood?

Thanks for any feedback and advice.

 

[DaveO]

I found this article, it might be of interest to you.

http://www.briwaxwoodcare.com/lye.htm

HTH, Dave

 

[rick7938]

Thanks for that info, Dave. Given the choice between lye and natural aging, I will let my grandkids wait the 104 years.

 

[Travis Porter]

I would suggest you need to find some old pine to have the tighter grain and patina. Maybe from an old house or tobacco barn that is being torn down.

 

[chris99z71]

I found this article, it might be of interest to you.

http://www.briwaxwoodcare.com/lye.htm

HTH, Dave

I think that guy's a little overboard on his fear of lye. I bet he's one of those guys who carries around a bottle of spray lysol for public bathrooms....

 

[rick7938]

That's a good idea, Travis. I guess that I can play with some different stains to try to match the newly cut/machined surfaces to the older patina.