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is exposed wood really brown?

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  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: lavale, md
  • 4,678 posts
is exposed wood really brown?
Posted by gregc on Sunday, February 10, 2019 4:31 PM

seems common for wooden trestles to range in color from light to darker brown or a relatively consistent gray.   I understand a relatively new trestle might be the color of freshly cut wood, but as wood ages, doesn't it turn gray.

i think an indian ink wash produces varying shades of dark gray black that are more realistic as in the model below

   

greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, February 10, 2019 4:34 PM

Most of the old exposed weathered wood I see driving through small towns in the South, is in fact gray.

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-Kevin

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Living the dream.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Sunday, February 10, 2019 5:03 PM

 The timbers of a wood trestle would probably be creosoted, so the india ink wash is much more realiztic.

 Fresh lumber is going to be a light brown color, depending on wood species, but left exposed, wood tends to turn to a greyish color if not protected with some preservative coat. Look at an old wood fence, or some of those kid's play structures that are still real wood. Usually a medium to light grey, depending on the amount of sun exposure. Plain old brown? Unless painted in an actual color, like the cream and brown of a Reading structure, wood is not much goign to be brown. The real light tannish birwn might be good for a fresh cut treer stump, or a stack of lumber fresh out of the mill.

                                        --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    August 2013
  • From: Richmond, VA
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Posted by carl425 on Sunday, February 10, 2019 11:00 PM

rrinker
The timbers of a wood trestle would probably be creosoted, so the india ink wash is much more realiztic.

+1

I have the right to remain silent.  By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.

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