robnbill Posted February 18, 2014 Share #1 Posted February 18, 2014 Okay, I have tumbled my blocks into a nice shape. Now I think I need to stain them so they have time to cure before I use them. What would be the color recommendation for the USS Constitution's blocks? Also, what is the best method for staining them. My current thought would be dipping them all in a jar and rolling them out in paper towels to get excess off and dry. Is there a better type of stain to use? Bill Quote Bill Chantilly, VA Its not the size of the ship, but the bore of the cannon! Current Build: Scratch Build Brig Eagle Completed Build Log: USS Constitution - Mamoli Completed Build Gallery: USS Constitution - Mamoli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Posted February 18, 2014 Share #2 Posted February 18, 2014 Thats rather messy. I choose to place a few dozen on a some paper towels and then dip another in the stain. Then roll them around with it. It gets just the right amount on them without clogging the sheave holes. Chuck robnbill 1 Quote Chuck Passaro - MSW Admin Sloop Speedwell - POF scratch Block Island Boat - POF scratch HMS Winchelsea - POB scratch build HM Cutter Cheerful - POB scratch build Royal Barge - POF scratch Medway Longboat- POF Scratch SYREN SHIP MODEL COMPANY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgbot Posted February 18, 2014 Share #3 Posted February 18, 2014 What I have done is run a line through a dozen of them at a time then a dip in stain. I then hang them up to dry. I then buff them with a felt heel pad. Leaves a nice finish. David B Tigerdvr and robnbill 2 Quote Work in progress USS Maine in cardstock.http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/7446-uss-maine-by-dgbot-hmv-card/#entry220003 Completed Blockade runner Teazer http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/6063-blockade-runner-teazer-by-dgbot-card-stock/#entry175967 Completed The Monitor Lehigh http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/6920-the-monitor-lehigh-by-dgbot-card-model/#entry203680 Completed Kingston Class MCVD http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/forum/10-kit-build-logs-in-progress/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robnbill Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted February 18, 2014 Thanks. Any particular colors or types of stains work best? Quote Bill Chantilly, VA Its not the size of the ship, but the bore of the cannon! Current Build: Scratch Build Brig Eagle Completed Build Log: USS Constitution - Mamoli Completed Build Gallery: USS Constitution - Mamoli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
druxey Posted February 18, 2014 Share #5 Posted February 18, 2014 Personal preference. I use Fiebing's leather dye. I use a small plastic cup and apply the dye to the blocks using a Q-tip. A few minutes' soaking does the trick. I then take off any dried surface excess with a paper towel, then polish each block with a little wax. robnbill and mtaylor 2 Quote Be sure to sign up for an epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series http://trafalgar.tv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgbot Posted February 18, 2014 Share #6 Posted February 18, 2014 (edited) I have been partial to MINWAX Walnut and Old Oak for a more strained look. David B Edited February 18, 2014 by dgbot robnbill 1 Quote Work in progress USS Maine in cardstock.http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/7446-uss-maine-by-dgbot-hmv-card/#entry220003 Completed Blockade runner Teazer http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/6063-blockade-runner-teazer-by-dgbot-card-stock/#entry175967 Completed The Monitor Lehigh http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/6920-the-monitor-lehigh-by-dgbot-card-model/#entry203680 Completed Kingston Class MCVD http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/forum/10-kit-build-logs-in-progress/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robnbill Posted February 19, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted February 19, 2014 So I stained the blocks this afternoon. I tried a few different methods. First, I tried rolling them around and rubbing them with a paper towel soaked with stain. Unfortunantly, this also proved to be pretty messy and if the towel was not soaked, it did not get into the grooves. The larger blocks I just dipped individually then rubbed the excess off with a towel. The smaller ones I ended up taking a large spoon and putting them all in the bowl, then using a dropper added enough stain to it to coat them all. Then I scrapped them off onto a paper towel and rubbed the excess off. All in all, I did not find a method that wasn't messy, but I got them all done. Than you all for your assistance. Holding my hand made all the difference. Quote Bill Chantilly, VA Its not the size of the ship, but the bore of the cannon! Current Build: Scratch Build Brig Eagle Completed Build Log: USS Constitution - Mamoli Completed Build Gallery: USS Constitution - Mamoli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q A's Revenge Posted February 19, 2014 Share #8 Posted February 19, 2014 Any pictures of the finished blocks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robnbill Posted February 19, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted February 19, 2014 That is bad making me go to the shop before I have my morning espresso! Anyway, here is a set of each along with a scale. I went dark, so they are a bit hard to see. Bill dgbot 1 Quote Bill Chantilly, VA Its not the size of the ship, but the bore of the cannon! Current Build: Scratch Build Brig Eagle Completed Build Log: USS Constitution - Mamoli Completed Build Gallery: USS Constitution - Mamoli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q A's Revenge Posted February 19, 2014 Share #10 Posted February 19, 2014 Good job, nicely rounded blocks as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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