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I'm working on the Prinz Eugen and I bought the veneer wood decking for it. After putting it down I got to thinking that it looks realy new. The ship had been around for some time and it was getting stripped down to head to the Pacific for it's final voyage. BOOM!!! Does anyone have any ideas about how to go about weathering the deck and ther methods that you used? Thanks.
Didn't naval personnel keep warship decks pretty clean and unweathered?
Don Stauffer in Minnesota
I know that they scrubb the deck. My brother was in the Navy and counldn't figure out how dirt got on a ship out at sea. Me being a Marine we ate dirt. But I look at wood and it turns as the years go by. I guess the best bet would be if I can find some color photo's of US aircraft carriers from that time.
I would stain the veneer with tea and then lightly sand it off .
Tanker - Builder I would stain the veneer with tea and then lightly sand it off .
That's a great idea, Never thought of that one.
Well, here's what I did, but thanks so much for offering ideas. One to help me and two, to help other modelers. Call it strange but I am also into microscopes and had a lot of stain to stain specimins. I wanted kind of a teak look so wanted somthing with a redish tone. I have no idea if this was the correct color but I wanted somthing different. I had scrap wood deck left and tested on that. I used of all color stain, Bismarck Brown, Iodine and then a Umber wash from game color to dirty it up a bit. It came out like a redish dirt color. I figured by the end of WW2 the German navy probably had enough and let daily swabbing the deck go to the way side. But hey if you all have any other suggestions please feel free to post your knowledge. I have the Bismarck, Hood and Prince of Wales yet to build. Happy modeling.
John
Oh, one more thing. This is the first time I used wood veneer and it came with no instructions just pictures. Here's a tip. I tried gluing it down. Don't be like me, the new guy. There is a backing that peels off. Who knew? I must have glued iit down about three times then one day I saw it started to seperate. Found out that it had a glue backing to it all ready. So, took it all off and peeled a stuck it back on. Ok, laugh it up. I found forums on the internet and this is a place to post your thoughts and tricks and such. Don't be like me, that guy, Peel and stick. Tip two, PVA glue is what they use on the veneer from what I hear so if you have a problem, give that a try. Do you have a idea, post it and save someone one big AARRRGGGG and headache. Happy modeling. Double click of ," Stained wood veneer" for I have no idea how to put a picture in either.
This situation would make me really nervous. I've never worked with one of those wood decks, but my impression is that they have extremely fine, closely-spaced ink work. Or maybe those lines are created by the char from the laser. In any case, I'd be worried that, in addition to the potential of warping, any sort of solvent- or water-based liquid might smear them beyond recognition.
Maybe a thin mist coat of wash or paint, sprayed on so it dried almost instantly, would get the effect you're after. But my inclination would be to leave the decks as-is.
Later edit - I guess I was typing at the same time John was. Looks like it worked out ok. As a general principle, though, and with all due respect to TB, I strongly recommend against using tea or coffee for any modeling purpose except refreshment. The stuff contains tannic acid, which has all sorts of unpredictable effects. I'd be interested to see what these decks look like a year or two from now.
Youth, talent, hard work, and enthusiasm are no match for old age and treachery.
That's a good idea too. I wanted to try it out and besides the fact of all the post above and the never ending sanding to taper down the edges, I am starting to like it. As I said, this is the first time using it so I thought I would start a post to help those that are thinking of tring it or having the growing pains like I was. Thanks for your tip and I jumped threw a few hoops to get the photos up. Happy Modeling.
Min Wax makes a nice color called Driftwood. Cabot makes one called Coastal Gray.
I think your deck came out well.
BTW US aircraft carriers from that period had their decks stained blue.
Modeling is an excuse to buy books.
Thanks for the tip and the complement.
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