Large Scale Central

New Deck Girder Bridge for Indian Hill

Track and Trestles
#67

Needing something to occupy my time today I decided to experiment with color options. Using the drops from cutting the bridge ties to length, I soaked 4 each in these solutions: India Ink and Alcohol, Household Bleach and Used Motor Oil. I already had some similar Cedar ties that had been soaked in a ‘Rust Solution’ made from dissolving steel wool in white vinegar. Here is the soaking process…

India Ink at the top, bleach at the bottom. I used a small plastic cup filled with stones to keep the wood submerged for two hours. The motor oil soak was done in a throw-away plastic cup…

After two hours I drained off the liquid and placed the test subjects in empty plastic cups to dry…

I know how y’all love pictures so here is a close up of the result of each solution. First, India Ink dissolved 1:1 in Alcohol and then further diluted 1 part in 8 parts of alcohol…

Next, The “Rust Solution” - This sticks have been drying for several years…

Next, Used Motor Oil…

And finally, Household Bleach…

For a color comparison, here is the untreated wood in the same light…

So far, I much prefer the India Ink solution. The Rust Solution is OK, but a bit too red. The Motor Oil is surprisingly light and Household Bleach is going in the wrong direction for me as I’m looking for a more prototypical color.

While I was at it I wanted to see how difficult this wood was going to be to hand spike. It will be time consuming, but the 1/2" spikes are just right…

I will let the treated ties dry for a few days before making a final decision, but I’m already thinking of trying a few different strengths of India Ink & Alcohol.

#68

I went with about 5 to 10% ink to alcohol (90% Isopropyl alcohol) for my boxcars. I say about because I kept “adjusting” the mixture as I went. Some batches got a mix with a bit more ink, some got a mix with less ink. Then I mixed the boards together for a random appearance. I used pine for my boxcars, so ceder may come out a bit darker.

#69

I’m to lazy to do the math on percentages. First I diluted the ink 50/50 with 70% Alcohol. So that one is easy - 50%. Now this 50% was further diluted with the 70% Alcohol - One part of the ink solution to 8 parts of Alcohol. According to a web calculator; 1:8 = 12.5%

Since I started with 50%, I’m guessing that my final dilution is about 6% - but I really don’t care so long as I can duplicate it (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

EDIT to add: I love that car!!!

#70

At first I thought one of those plants was the sage from the CVRR then I remembered you killed it and realized they were geraniums.

I just painted my redwood ties with krylon flat black and many years later they look fine.

#71

Just a coupla things I have discovered/tried.

Ink/alcohol coloring has a tendency to fade when left in the weather full time, such as on ties.

Try mixing your “used” motor oil about 50% with diesel you get rid of that “shiny” look

and get better penetration

Rick

#72

Thanks Rick. Your experience is welcomed.

I have ruled out the motor oil as this bridge is in an area that needs to be stepped over often. Since it never really dries I don’t want it rubbing of on my clothes - that and the look is too red for me.

I was at Walmart today and checked out the paint department. They had a quart of Minwax Ebony stain on the close-out shelf for $3 so I grabbed it. I dipped a few test subjects this evening. With just a quick dip and a wipe it is quite dark. Once it soaks in I’ll grab some photos for comparison to the other methods. I may attempt to cut it with a light Maple stain I have in-stock. The stain is marked for Indoor use, but I think it will weather perfectly slowly changing to grey.

I also started a batch of “Rust Solution”. I probably won’t use it for the ties, but may use it to weather the girder. I do know from experience that the rust does not last more than a month or so outside. I’ve never tried it under a clear matte spray.

Double track trestle jig
#73

I mix the ebony stain with boiled linseed oil, about 25/75. Makes for a nice, dark stain, with great penetration/preservation.

Double track trestle jig
#74

25% stain to 75% oil? Sounds like a good idea.

#75

You got it right. 25% stain.

#76

Thanks - I’ll pick some up and try that too!

#77

Wasn’t that a song?

More color tests and final assembly of the deck today. On Steve’s suggestion I picked up a quart of Boiled Linseed Oil at the local hardware store today, Cost me almost 4 times as much as the stain, but I think it will end up being used. Here are the results of the latest color tests along side some previous attempts…

In case you can’t read the cups, from Left to Right: Un-treated Cedar, Minwax Ebony Stain, India Ink & Alcohol, 25% Ebony Stain 75% Boiled Linseed Oil, Polyshade Antique Walnut, Used Motor Oil.

And, just because I can, here are close ups of each color. First, Un-treated Cedar…

Minwax Ebony Stain

India Ink & Alcohol…

25% Ebony Stain 75% Boiled Linseed Oil…

Polyshade Antique Walnut…

Used Motor Oil…

Thanks Steve for the Linseed Oil suggestion. I’m pretty sure it will be the winner, but I’d like it darker so I’m going to give 50/50 a try next.

Also today I glued together the three sections of deck in preparation for painting. I’m using an 8 foot 1x2 to support it while the glue dries. It’s a little over 9 foot long. The finished bridge will be about 8 foot. I’ll cut the deck to length once I know the final dimension…

#78

Yeah, Jon, its a personal choice. I like the 25/75 mix because its brown, not black, and the grain shows through. Whatever floats your boat, right? The linseed oil is spendy, but gives you long lasting protection.

As I was typing the above, I thought of mixing the ebony stain with used motor oil. Whacha think? Used motor oil is free.

#79

Daktah John said:

It’s a little over 9 foot long. The finished bridge will be about 8 foot. I’ll cut the deck to length once I know the final dimension…

Hey careful leaving all that time on your hands. Your trying to heal up, remember? Love the coloring tutorial and results. Glad to see you were able to revise the build plan and keep on progressing.

#80

Jon,

Good info you presented on the color staining.

#81

Yes it was a song by Styx and a great band they were.

Edit for : Page 5

#82

Steve Featherkile said:

Yeah, Jon, its a personal choice. I like the 25/75 mix because its brown, not black, and the grain shows through. Whatever floats your boat, right? The linseed oil is spendy, but gives you long lasting protection.

As I was typing the above, I thought of mixing the ebony stain with used motor oil. Whacha think? Used motor oil is free.

The color is growing on me. I like it better than the stain alone. I’ll see what 50/50 looks like and then make a decision. I have enough of the Linseed Oil to do the job, so the cost is no longer an issue. That, and the motor oil does not dry which rules it out for reasons stated earlier.

#83

David Russell said:

Yes it was a song by Styx and a great band they were.

Edit for : Page 5

And now this musical interlude…

#84

Yes but when your done you will have

#85

It seems that somewhere along the line that the meaning of a ratio has changed. All my life I have understood a ratio to mean X TO Y. But today, at least according to web calculators, a ratio is X IN Y and can also be expressed as a fraction as in 1:1 = 1/1. While that works with equal part ratios, when you change to an unequal ratio like 1:2 the result changes completely.

The old way 1:2 would be 1 TO 2 or 1/3 or 33%

Today I guess it means 1 IN 2 or 1/2 or 50%

This discrepancy caused me to screw up my mix calculations when testing Steve’s 25% Ebony Stain to 75% Boiled Linseed Oil suggestion. What I actually mixed was 20% stain to 80% oil which explains why it came out lighter than I wanted. I went back yesterday intending to change to a 50/50 mix and once again my small brain miscalculated and I ended up with 33% Stain to 66% Oil (and 1% lost to the wind) which is much closer to Steve’s original suggestion.

Film to follow.

#86

I ruled out all but the Minwax Ebony Stain in various dilutions. Yesterday I mixed up another batch just a bit darker than the previous dilution. Here are the contenders…

Left to right: Natural Cedar, 20% Minwax Ebony Stain / 80% Boiled Linseed Oil, 33% Stain / 67% Oil, 100% Stain, And now the mandatory close-ups…

Natural…

20% Stain / 80% Oil…

33% Stain / 67% Oil…

And finally, 100% Stain…

I’ve already made my decision. What’s your choice?