Right wall progress
Conservatory base

Right wall finished

The right wall is “finished”.  The components are prepared, but I won’t fasten the roof piece in place until it’s clear I won’t need to lay the project on its side, nor glue the decking down until the base is complete.

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I positioned the outer deck support at a slight downward angle, which should make the far end of the dock sag.  I’d like it to look dilapidating but still functional.  Hopefully the slant is sufficient, I couldn’t adequately test with only two hands.

Construction of the bit of roof progressed faster than I anticipated, despite my indecisiveness on the finish.

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You’ll notice I am short one rafter.  I miscounted, but then liked how that looks.

I put down an underlay of  tarpaper, simulated by dark blue cardstock, as black would have faded by the sun.  A metal roof to cover this, with bits of the tarpaper peeking through.  I have some thin corrugated aluminum that’s been in my stash for years which I thought I’d use.

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Though it’s dented it’s still too new looking in comparison to the wood finish on the building, so I used sodium percarbonate (Oxy-Clean) and heat to age the aluminum.  The chemical dulled the finish and flame melted spots, but I didn’t get a finish I was crazy about.

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I splattered on rust spots with ink, which helped...

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I was going to examine additional distressing, but then saw this tossed out of the garage by my husband while cleaning.

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The corrugated aluminum was a bit small in scale, and the corrugations in the coffee can are too big for scale, but the real rust finish...oh my.

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Looking at the pictures again this morning, I’m still torn.  I like the scale of the aluminum but the rust of the coffee can...though the coffee can is maybe too rusty.  

What do you think?

Comments

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Jodi Hippler

I think what you've achieved thus far is marvelous!

Sheila Lester

I'm amazed...

I love the rust color of the coffee can because it actually ties in so nicely with the brick wall. Maybe add more rust to your scale aluminum? Try a spray adhesive and sprinkle cinnamon on it. (On a test piece obviously.) I had very good luck with cinnamon as rust.

Sherrill

The coffee can does the trick. It all looks great!

Susan

Despite my terror of tetanus, gotta love that natural rust finish. Love this already!

Elizabeth Slinn

Your aging techniques are quite astounding Keli. The brick wall and the tide pool that you are creating in conjunction with this weathered wood and rusted tin roof looks Amazingly effective together!

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