Rottenstone brushing easily away

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R0seC0l0redGlasses

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We're trying to make a new frame look old. We've applied wax and then the rottenstone (or pumice stone) on top and buffed. We really liked the look we got. Nicely dusty but not dirty. And then the next day we touched our beautiful frame and the dust just came off on our hands. How can we seal the stone dust on? Thanks for your help!
 
I would first try using a spray wax to cover the rottenstone without rubbing it off. If that doesn't work, then it gets more difficult.

Any clear sealant that will adhere to the finish should do the job. Without knowing the specifics of the finish, but knowing that you have applied wax, I can tell you that polyurethane won't do the job. Some lacquers might. I would experiment on scrap. One of the first things I would try (Outside!) would be a spray fixative for pastels since it is the most likely to bond to a finish containing wax.

If nothing works, you can remove all of the wax with a good rub of mineral spirits, then start over with something that is not wax-based like tung oil.
 
thank you!

thanks for the quick reply and great advice! the spray fixitive sounds like a good fix for this project, but we also like the idea of using oil instead of wax in the first place. thank you again.
 
The rottenstone (dust) should come off of all but the recessive areas. RS is applied after the tone, wash, has been applied, wiped, or other wise worked and then dry. Dust the Rs on and rub off of the high spots, leaving the RS in the recessive areas. It should have enough adhesion to withstand light brushing. Depending on the look I'm trying to achieve, I may use compressed air to remove more of it. On an older frame, you will need a very light tone, mineral spirits and a touch of oil or oil color, washed on, wiped, dry, then the RS, buffed off. I'm hesitant to use pumice as it's a coarser abrasive than RS.

That's the quick, 5 minute course, in something I've been "playing" with since I was in art school, a while back, and geared to what materials it sounds as if you have. There are multiple variations of any and all aspects of the above.
 
If you are trying to leave the RS on the smooth surfaces there is a simple way. Spray the clearcoat on the frame and shake the RS bag while the clearcoat is still wet.
 
R0seC0l0redGlasses said:
We're trying to make a new frame look old. We've applied wax and then the rottenstone (or pumice stone) on top and buffed. We really liked the look we got. Nicely dusty but not dirty. And then the next day we touched our beautiful frame and the dust just came off on our hands. How can we seal the stone dust on? Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...

Just spray clear coat of shellac on it. Nothing else will stick on wax.
 
Next time take one part of shellac and nine parts of alcohol, it is all approximately of course, :), mix RS there as heavy as you need. And put it on.
Just brush it ones and let it dry.
 
I would be a little cautious about applying clearcoat as this sometimes darkens certain finishes and may diminish some of that 'old' look you are trying to achieve.
 
And not to pop any buddies balloons, but you risk a huge mess putting shellac or any other clear coat over an unknown sealant, with out either some clue as to what the antique frame has on it, and what you're trying to achieve. Just saying.
 
Gilder said:
Next time take one part of shellac and nine parts of alcohol, it is all approximately of course, :), mix RS there as heavy as you need. And put it on.
Just brush it ones and let it dry.
Click to expand...
I'd so do what I ALWAYS do... Yeah, Acrylic paint... You can accurately reproduce ANY look(except a good shiny silver leaf,weird) with them! L
 
Wipe on wax, and immediately start brushing on the RS.

Keep brushing the stone everywhere.... for a full coverage.... then keep brushing.

Soon you are brushing away the excess wax as well as the stone.... but you
can stop at any time.

Let rest over night, and the wax will harden with the stone in place..... now with
a soft rag, you can start buffing out the areas you want cleared.

If you wanted a older "tone"... first wipe a very dilute coat of lamp black over the whole.

For a warmer tone, wax with brown wax. For the more neutral go with the black.
If you are looking only to deposit stone dust, use clear floor wax.
 
You could try lightly stoking the surface with very fine steel wool first. I say stroking; if you lean on too hard you will go right though any leaf. This might give a little bit extra key for the wax on flat surfaces. A lot depends on the sealant used on the moulding.
Rottenstoning is very subtle. If you want a heavier dusty look, paint the whole thing with white paint. Almost any water-based paint will do. Dilute it and slap it on all over. Wipe of the excess and then keep working it with a soft, dry brush as it dries. It will tend to bubble up, but keep working it in. If you get it too heavy in places, you can wipe it off with a damp rag.
Takes a bit of fooling around with. Diluted white paint will dry to a pale gray.
 
Jeff, I did misspeak, as I should have said "original", though the point was that with out knowing what the sealant and finish on the frame are, there is some risk. Alcohol will dissolve shellac, including the so called "spirit varnishes".

Laura, acrylics are great, though it takes some experience to deal with them as they dry fast, and need much stronger solvents to move them once dry, than the water.

Baer, you mention a "wash" of lampblack, but what's the binder? Lampblack and what?

The spray fixative is probably the safest, and will maintain the matte look of RS.
 
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