Brian Chapman

Making new cheap wood look like old expensive wood!

With a very limited budget and a big vision... we have to get creative.

We scored this pine cheap, as it is a waste product from incoming freight. Once we came up with a design of how we were going to display our products (using old painters ladders and pallet style shelves) we then had the important task of making them look a whole lot classier than regular (cheap) pine.

I went to my local hardware store (my fellow Australians know which one) and asked the girl at the paint counter, how can I make this pine look like aged wood. Her response (after firmly stating she was knowledgeable with paint...) "well you should just leave it outside for a few months because you can't achieve that with paint". She wasnt joking. Not what I wanted to hear.

I've had a bit of experience with building sets for local theatre productions, using paint and various tools to make them look a bit battered so using those skills we went down the path of making cheap pine look a whole lot more like expensive oak.

Watch to see the 5 steps we used to make it happen and the finished result.

Leave a comment and let us know what you think.

Brian and Jimmy.

EDIT: Brian said the first paint used was a lime wash. This was incorrect. It was a grey stain. The 2nd coat of watered down orange colour was a lime wash.

Next article Restoring 100 Year Old Warehouse Windows

Comments

Catherine - September 23, 2024
Looks good, well done

Janet - September 23, 2024
Well done, the timber looks great. I am a big fan of limewash. Have to say also that I agree with Carol’s comment about the music. You have a very pleasant voice Brian and you don’t need the distraction of lively music to keep my attention. All the best for you new shop 🙂

Carol - September 22, 2024
Hi,
Have you ever considered Not having constant music throughout your videos?
This world is frenetic enough. I would listen in a calmer more receptive way if there was no music through the whole video.
Regards
Carol 🌱

Jane Eddy - September 22, 2024
This is going to look wonderful! You are very clever & I salute your brilliant recycling & repurposing endeavours. Thanks for sharing your hard work it’s very interesting watching your dreams & plans come to life. You’re such an inspiration, well done! =]

Lana Kerslake - September 22, 2024
Congrats to you both. You are both innovative and persistent blokes and the results speak for themselves. They’ll all look fabulous, along with those old arch windows that you worked so hard to restore. Quite a work in progress……..

Barry Enkelmann - September 22, 2024
Well done,I admire your enthusiasm and zest for improving your business,The transformation from pine to oak looks great on the photos,but am sure looks even better in real life.A great job Brian and Jimmy.