Cover aging. whaddaya think?

[WolfeMacleod]

Been playing around with new cover aging techniques lately while trying to get a way from harsh chemical aging.
Something came to me today...

What do you think of this? Nice and crusty.
I know...the string lines are a bit "hard" on the edges and need to be softened and blended....but otherwise, what do you think?




Different lighting...




The cover on top was used as inspiration for this type of aging...aside from the hard dges, I think I've pretty much nailed the corrosion/stippling effect...

[Spence]

Looks a little salty. That's not negative criticism. It's just that salty residues will wash off. Otherwise I think you're in the right zone with that.


For others thinking of spending countless hours aging covers, I'm not 100% convinced that the aged look is worth persuing if new to the subject as it's a pretty narrow market dominated by a few manufacturers who have it nailed already.

[Sam Lee Guy]

Hello WolfeMacleod! Sam think your covers velly velly nice shape, but not understand why not leave them shiney. Maybe Sam just too old and long for youth. One other thing, I wouldn't use nails for pickup making, but maybe it's a good tool for ageing, if it works for you.

[corduroyew]

They are not as nice as some of your other covers but for not using harsh chemicals it's really good. They have the right color but something still isn’t right. Kinda like fender “relic” finishes… They sand, scratch and beat up their finishes but they still look new to me. Their surface doesn't look worn.

[madialex]

Well Wolfe, you always shoot straight with me and me with you. I don't like it.
Your others are the shiznit but these don't speak to me. Sorry...

[kevinT]

different than your others but I think it's nice!

[NightWinder]

Crusty!!

Wolfe- Looks great. Remember guys, He is'nt finished with them either- A little blending and such will fill right in. I hope you post them when they are totally finished. Nice to see another getting "crusty" this season!!LOL

[WolfeMacleod]

Looks a little salty. That's not negative criticism. It's just that salty residues will wash off. Otherwise I think you're in the right zone with that..

This stuff isn't coming off. Ever

Yep, this was the very first attempt at this style. Here's a few more I did today. Figured out how to ease the string lines a bit smoother.
In person, it's not quite so dramatic.
In the first set of pictures I posted, there was an "inspiration" cover pictures. That cover is a DMC v.2 cover that many people are raging about...aged by the factory.

[GlennW]

That's pretty cool. Reminds of a picture of Keith with a mirror.

[corduroyew]

I think the laters ones you posted are much better than the ones in your original post. You are on to something. There is no doubt in my mind you'll get the aged look you are going for very soon,

[Sam Lee Guy]

covers in first post nicer shape. Are they different?

[Possum]

....

the string thing is way too pronounced. My favorite aged covers are the ones where all the plating is worn off and no evidence of string stenciling. Some you see maybe have a little string evidence on one side but the rest is all corroded off, too perfect looking and they look fake. Holmes aged covers are my favorite fake ones....

[corduroyew]

covers in first post nicer shape. Are they different?

could just be the lighting I guess. When I said later I should have said last. The last pick looks more realistic to me...

[WolfeMacleod]

covers in first post nicer shape. Are they different?

Very keen of you to notice this. The first covers are the DMC covers that I normally use.
The second set of pictures are....made by the same company that makes covers for Duncan. Same as those used on a Seth Lover I just rewound.

[WolfeMacleod]

the string thing is way too pronounced..... Holmes aged covers are my favorite fake ones....

It's not nearly as pronounced in person. Flash and lighting make them look much more apparent that they really are. I find it difficult to photograph something like this without it popping out at you.