Tips and Techniques

Stripwood

Please note that while we strive to provide a top-quality finish, as this is natural product it may have slight defects such as small splits at the ends, and allowance should be made for wastage because of this. It is batch-cut, so there may be some variation of colour, density etc between batches. There can be some furriness but generally you can expect two good faces which are adjoining.

Sanding

Very fine strip can be achieved without breakage by folding a piece of sandpaper in half, rough side facing inwards so that the strip can be ‘pinched’ lightly in the sandpaper and then drawn through. Not only does this minimise breakage but you do both sides at the same time.

Staining

Staining wood, particularly yellow cedar, is often neccessary to simulate old wood (as distinct from painting). This can be done a variety of ways but one very economical method involves diluting black ink from an old printer ink-jet cartridge and soaking the wood in it for several days or even weeks. The wood comes out looking like the ink hasn’t made much impression, but spread it out on a cloth to dry and you will notice a darker colour developing as the absorbed ink migrates to the surface.

Yellow Cedar

Yellow cedar is a somewhat oily timber – this is the reason for its durability – and it is best painted with solvent-based paints, particulalrly if the model is to be used outdoors. Some acrylics will work, but the user is advised to perform tests before plunging in and painting an entire model.