toddpeavy Posted October 6, 2010 Report Share Posted October 6, 2010 Hello Everyone, I've been using the internet ever since Al Gore invented it but this is the first time I've ever posted on this type of forum, so I hope this goes right. I am in the process of dismantling a 112 year old barn that I plan to transform into the furniture in a new house. I am wondering if any of you have any words of wisdom and/or caution on what to use as a finish/finishing techniques, so that I can keep the "patina" (sp?). Also, any thoughts on the best way to clean and prepare the wood for use. Thanks, Todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombarde16 Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 Work the surfaces as little as possible. The silvery color that wood develops outdoors runs only skin deep. Once you machine the surface, you'll expose fresh wood. What precisely do you want to build with this stuff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddpeavy Posted October 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 Work the surfaces as little as possible. The silvery color that wood develops outdoors runs only skin deep. Once you machine the surface, you'll expose fresh wood. What precisely do you want to build with this stuff? I'll use mainly the heavy timbers and dimensional lumber to build bedroom furniture, dining room, a couple of sideboards and all the accessary tables. The color is more honey colored than the silvery outside siding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 Todd..plane a little and see what you have. I bought quite a bit of a 100 plus year old barn and the wood is some magnificent old growth (dense, heavy) red fir. I'm going to use some for my bench, but the rest will be for some nice furniture. But, then again, I'm not a fan of the weathered look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombarde16 Posted October 7, 2010 Report Share Posted October 7, 2010 The color is more honey colored than the silvery outside siding. In that case, machine away joyously and wait a few years. Whatever fresh wood you expose will darken naturally over time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 Hello Everyone, I've been using the internet ever since Al Gore invented it but this is the first time I've ever posted on this type of forum, so I hope this goes right. I am in the process of dismantling a 112 year old barn that I plan to transform into the furniture in a new house. I am wondering if any of you have any words of wisdom and/or caution on what to use as a finish/finishing techniques, so that I can keep the "patina" (sp?). Also, any thoughts on the best way to clean and prepare the wood for use. Thanks, Todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 We used old barn lumber that had been kilned for ceilings in our dining room and my husband's "man cave". Our wood still had some color stains from the red paint. All I can tell you is that a year later, that wood has termintes, and the rest of the wood all around those ceilings does not have termites. just a caution, be sure to treat that wood. your project sounds wonderful. I love the look and the feel of that old wood. it's perfect to anchor any room to the great outdoors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddpeavy Posted October 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2010 We used old barn lumber that had been kilned for ceilings in our dining room and my husband's "man cave". Our wood still had some color stains from the red paint. All I can tell you is that a year later, that wood has termintes, and the rest of the wood all around those ceilings does not have termites. just a caution, be sure to treat that wood. your project sounds wonderful. I love the look and the feel of that old wood. it's perfect to anchor any room to the great outdoors. Wow I wouldn't have thought about the termites. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHoleInOne Posted October 13, 2010 Report Share Posted October 13, 2010 Yup to the bugs...I'm surprised that a kiln didn't take care of the bugs, from what I hear, that should kill any insects in the wood. What do you think about bleach water and a broom or power washer to remove years of dirt and mold? -Ace- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
went_postal Posted October 14, 2010 Report Share Posted October 14, 2010 One thing I would suggest before machining: METAL DETECTOR One nail or staple could make your tools (and you) VERY unhappy. I just recently picked up a new stud finder which also happens to have a metal detector... not real expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah Posted October 15, 2010 Report Share Posted October 15, 2010 Yup to the bugs...I'm surprised that a kiln didn't take care of the bugs, from what I hear, that should kill any insects in the wood. What do you think about bleach water and a broom or power washer to remove years of dirt and mold? -Ace- Bleach is good if you have moldy wood. Amonia is better for dirt and grime - and I recommend the lemon scented. Be sure not to mix bleach and amonia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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