Map antiquing

[oderlesseye]

A While back I decided I needed a map.I purchased one that dates to 1792.

I Took it to a reprographics place and made large copies. This is for the piratical theme in the "cove" I'm building out back and so today twas the day.

My first try was with coffee and tea in the bath tub but paper was not strong enough and tore easily. when I went to put the shower door back on it shattered in a million pieces. This map is getting expensive...

So I took the action outside and was determined..

after applying the stain lightly with a sponge

I blew it dry

and Am now happy and ready to frame it and hang it in the cove.. YEAHHH !

[Rumba Rue]

I have used tea bags and coffee grounds, even rubbed dirt and soot onto paper to make it look old. Have even burned the edges of paper. Never had a problem.

I hope the stain won't eat away at the paper after time. Good luck.

[Scarlet McBayne]

I have te admit I did the same thing 4 years ago. I bought the Rand McNally old style maps and tea and coffee grind stained them. When they were dry I burned the edges and thru some of the middle and rubbed the soot around as well. When all was said and done, I used wallpaper paste and pasted them up on the walls in my guess bathroom. It turned out Great! Good luck to you and let me know how it looks. :)

[Capn_Enigma]

Nice work there, matey!

I was worried, too, that the stain would chemically corrode the paper. I also use only coffee (instant coffee, that is).

...When all was said and done, I used wallpaper paste and pasted them up on the walls in my guess bathroom. ...

What's a "guess bathroom"? Is it the head for an imaginary friend?

[Scarlet McBayne]

Oops...that be guest bathroom.

I "guess" I really should look at what I've written before sending if off to print. :)

[Capn_Enigma]

Well, I ... guessed.

[Black Hearted Pearl]

I've used "burnt umber" wood stain watered down abd applied with a sponge. The stain is a natural sunscreen for the paper.

[Capt. Morgan]

I've had more luck aging maps by wiping coffee and tea on the paper with a rag than by actually "bathing" the paper... I've tried that and have always had the paper tear, especially on a large piece... just my two doubloons' worth!

[Captain Jim-sib]

I use the coffee filter with the grounds of the mornin' brew to stain me cotton paper for me ship models sails. Often let it dry 'for applying more coats. The coffee-filled filter makes a good applicator.

[Cap'n Pete Straw]

After decades of trial and error, I found what has to be the easiest method ever.

Pour yourself a cup of tea. While you enjoy your delicious Earl Grey, take out the teabag, still sopping wet (and maybe no longer piping hot) and use it as a paintbrush over your document.

When the bag is pretty dry, dip it back into your cup for a quick refresh and repeat. Flip the document and do the back. Lay a wet sheet onto a dry one for an interesting pattern transfer, and then homogenize the results on both with another teabag after they have dried.

So easy. Relatively no mess and no fuss. Plus you get to enjoy some really good tea. And you do not need to brew gallons of the stuff, or deal with huge liquid-laden pieces of paper (which tend to rip under their own weight). The applicator-teabag gives you great control over degree of staining, and you can make it darker with additional applications.

As I have needed to produce (literally) many thousands of "antiqued" documents, I cannot imagine a better method. My work area is 11x17" (I typically create legal-sized documents, and they can be stacked wet/dry/wet/dry atop each other), and I only need a hot water source, cup, supply of tea, artwork, and a garbage can.

[Jonathan Hawks]

Well.. I likes what ya done e're, but I'fn ya be wantin a map lookin old, ya can go e're and buy the real thing. I would love ta be avin one of these. One day when I win big at the pirate gamblin table.

Rare Maps