Although The cornsheller doesn't require a paint job to make it functional, I think it adds a whole lot to the overall appeal to the project and does add a little bit of historical value.

In order to make the frame of the cornsheller look old, I begin by sanding all of the frame components to 100 grit to roughen it up a bit. I then mixed a water based acrylic paint with water to make a very thin wash and applied  to the white oak frame with a foam brush. This will give the appearance of weathered wood which then is stained using an antique maple oil based stain and wiped off. The grain of the oak becomes prominent and the grey shows through just enough to make it look aged.

When I did the first cornsheller I hand cut the stencils which took lots of time and had I known then that I would be doing another Hocking Valley sheller I would have made the stencils out of real stencil board for re-use. I did have the original stencils and contacted several businesses that do custom stencils to see if it would be possible to have stencils made from my originals. WOW --I'm in the wrong business!!!

Average price was $75 per stencil for set up fee then $40 per stencil and that's with me supplying the stencil board. NOT---  I need 3 stencils ,so time to gather my patience and do some drawing. I could still use the original stencils as a pattern which did save lots of time even though the new stencils needed to be a little larger. Plus I added one more stencil which I did not make for the first cornsheller.So after 4 hours of drawing  and cutting with an exacto knife the stencil problem is solved.

I used enamel spray paint for the red parts of the sheller and did the pin striping with enamel  craft paints and used the Dab method for the stenciling.

So here are a couple of photos of most of the painting . I still have one more side to stencil then the whole think gets finished with a couple coals of shellac.

Mike

Mike you sure do good work. Excellent job on the corn sheller. Great job on the stencils by the way.

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John Moody
John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

Wow! Great job. Looks brand new!

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Harry Brink
Bulldog Woodworking
Montana

Oh my, Mike, you must watch American Restoration. You could be the new host. Thanks for sharing this great project with us, awesome paint job my friend.

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Mike, about how much time do you think you have wrapped up in this one? Just curious what these various restorations take.

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Thanks everyone for the comments

To John Morris- I will have around 40 hours of actual hands on time in this restoration spread out over 3 weeks.

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Mike
'why buy it if you can build it'
www.midlothianwoodworks.com

I like it Mike.  You need to run a few ears of corn through it just for good measure.

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Ron Dudelston
Above and Beyond WoodWorks

Hi Ron

I will be running some corn through the sheller to make sure it works properly before I send it to the client. Also will do a demonstration video

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Mike
'why buy it if you can build it'
www.midlothianwoodworks.com

 very cool mike, 

 my inlaws are down by you.  in lancaster     O.H.