black beams

[smidgepanda]

Does anyone know of a good type of stain for authentic looking ceiling beams? thanks aileen

 

[middi]

Sorry to be a pain but there isn't such a thing as " stain " and " authentic"

It is contradictive, you can either have a stain of your choise, or authentic beams in its natural state.

 

[Sue Wilkinson]

I suspect that the majority of beams that looked dark from early times were just smoke blackened. Then in later times it became fashionable (I think in Victorian times) to paint the beams with black paint for a 'quaint' look.

For most of the rest of history they were either polished with wax or lime washed. Oak and elm darkens with age anyway.

If you want a painted finish (not dark) then use limewash. Its great on wood and the brilliant thing is that you can brush it off with a wire brush at some later stage if you go off it. Otherwise just use any spirit based stain to darken them a little, but don't go for black. Be sure to test the stain first on spare wood and then inconspicous areas as some modern stains are truly horrible colours. But be aware that a stain won't be coming off any time soon or easily. If you change your mind you are more or less stuck with it or have to paint over it. Not ideal. Alternatively if you treat the beams with wax it will darken them a little anyway.

Sue

 

[smidgepanda]

thanks very much Sue - most helpful. I've had to replace some old beams with new timber and am wanting to achieve an authentic look. thanks again, Aileen

 

[geoff]

A dark wax is also an alternative (and is good for the wood) - you don't have to buff it too a full gloss, just a slight sheen looks nice. Oak beams were also fumed with ammonia in the past to darken them - but it's not easy to do.

 

[Penners]

I've had to replace some old beams with new timber

What timber are the old beams, and what timber are the new ones?

 

[NT]

I thought the title was 'black beans', and was wondering what the beans were used for. I know how to use rice and noodles, but beans?

But I guess I've bean mistaken.


NT

 

[Penners]

I thought the title was 'black beans'

You may find that the black coating on your beans can be removed a combination of Nitromors and a good brass wire brush.