New deck planking for PS Decoy

[Derek Warner]

Hi PD's - after near two years of looking at my disastrous attempt at
the three toned deck planking on Decoy I bit the proverbial bullet on
Saturday & purchased seventy pieces - one metre planks of 4 x 1 limewood
& will simply re-plank over the existing deck
Question is, how do I simulate the deck planking to look like the real
PS Decoy in Mannum South Australia - as when I saw her, the deck
planking looked like weathered & aged hardwood with the tones of fence
palings [well Australian versions I mean] - sort of a non uniform
silvery steel grey color with no hint of any cedar or red wood tones
If I can get a more uniform subdued deck from a visual perspective it
will allow me to use brighter timber [cedar/redwood] tones for the
upperworks etc
I have trialed diluted solutions carbon black, brass black & even plain
lead pencil shavings in fluids ranging from water, thinners & to mineral
turpentine, but the resulting pigment sizing appears too big & won't
provide any good results - any thoughts apppreciated
In thinking about this I reflect back to a comment from our late Dai
Powell to my question about PS Pevenseys cabin tops, wheb Dai said -
"just use a sheet of 400 W &D paper upside down they will never know" -
regards Derek

[GJ. Nelson]

Hello Derek,

Most model paints and others have the pigment ground
to 1/1000th. If you can find it, Floquil railroad paints are
ground to 1/10,000th. I don't know what Testors Model Master
are ground to but it is my second choice.
In their air brushing book Floquil recommends adding a
very small amount of white to solid colors because on small
models they look to dark otherwise.

Gary

[GJ. Nelson]

Me again,

I would suggest making a wash (and wipe) of silver* and a
medium to dark gray depending on the result you want. But
what ever you do you need a super fine pigment to get it into
the wood and have it look good.

* or not

Best regards,
Gary

[Derek Warner]

Thanks Gary - today purchased a 50 ml bottle of Feast Watson brand
"Prooftint" in black ochre [same brand & type as I used to stain the
hull planking]

The directions offer a liming process [whitish oil based liquid that
turns near translucent when dry] which according to the display samples
will give me a great limed grey tone & still be able to see the planks
grain & texture

The process is a you suggested 'a wash & leave for 3 minutes then wipe
off' etc - so will trial some on the weekend & let you know the results
- regards Derek

[dragoncity]

Derek !,
considering the P.S. Decoy project is taking Soooo long :-) , you could have
simply left her outside , and obtained a truly Aussie Weathering
effect !!. Complete with cracks, etc.

I was very interested in hearing that the paint pigment was ground to such a
very fine powder. Truly amazing. Model Railway paint would appear to be the
way to go.

Cheers,
Brett

[Derek Warner]

Hi PD's - its always good to know that Brett would think of something
original - but what time is your computer clock set to Brett? as today
is still 11/11

So here is another question for Brett or Jim [Stein]

When visited the hulk of Decoy [Jan 2003], I had months before stained
the deck & had no idea that Decoy still existed so you will understand
my disappointment when I saw her raw decks [beautiful] but there was no
evidence of tar or pitch between the deck planking - was this common
with Australian paddlers?, because if not I will not attempt black texta
colour on the sides of the plank etc - regards Derek

[dragoncity]

> So here is another question for Brett or Jim [Stein]
>
> When visited the hulk of Decoy [Jan 2003], I had months before stained
> the deck & had no idea that Decoy still existed so you will understand
> my disappointment when I saw her raw decks [beautiful] but there was no
> evidence of tar or pitch between the deck planking - was this common
> with Australian paddlers?, because if not I will not attempt black texta
> colour on the sides of the plank etc - regards Derek

Interesting question! I must admit I did not take too much notice of the deck
planking when I last rode the P.S. Alexander Abuthnot -- however I checked my
photos and it certainly appears that some type of caulking was used in her
decking as there is a quite pronounced 'black gap' between planks, which
incidently are quite narrow 100mm ?? ( 4" ).

Jim Stein has a friend who should have more info on the subject.

cheers,
Brett