How to "age" bright yellow cavalry hat cords?

[ingineer]

This is the kind of stuff we use to make watch dials look old:
http://www.amazon.com/PanPastel-Color-Weathering-Rust-Earth/dp/B007JV8XRK
Equivalent stuff can be found at a local toy model shop or craft store.
YMMV

 

[WesternHatWearer]

I have a hat conversion going where I'm taking a Stetson Hutchins and turning it into a tan Indian Wars cavalry campaign hat.

My problem is, the hat is on its way to looking nice and rustic, but the yellow hat cords look garish on it. The yellow is way too bright. I need a way to take these hat cords and make them look like the well-worn ones like in the John Wayne movies.

I've tried soaking them in tea. That didn't work.

There's got to be a way to artificially 'age' them.

Any ideas?

Have you had any success in "aging" your acorns?

 

[TheDane]

Whatever color/aging medium you choose, don't forget the most important thing in order to get a genuine look: Dirt collects in grooves, cracks and dents - while it gets worn off at high spots. Artificial patina can be quite hard to achieve, but it helps, if you study the real thing very closely. If not, you may very likely end up with a costume'ish looking item

 

[rogerstg]

I'd dirty it with dust from a vacuum cleaner and strategically clean areas to make it look right.

Roger

 

[RJR]

I'd add considerable exposure to direct sunlight.

 

[Mr. Godfrey]

Try wetting it everyday and leaving that to dry in the direct sunlight, has always worked for me, on materials never tried cord.

 

[liten]

Acon type yellow hat cords were not suppled to them any way. this is the hat cord that was used for the cavalry

 

[Redshoes51]

Liten... for clarification, you are saying that the cords on your image above are 'Indian War' era cords? Weren't they used in the Civil War as well??

When would the 'acorn' cord appear, timewise??

Thanks...

~shoes~

 

[ingineer]

The colours have meaning
Here is link showing when they were established
http://www.cavhooah.com/info/cavalry-traditions/stetsons/hat-cords/
One must allow for variation in civil war artifacts
soldiers very often purchased their own uniforms, arms, swords etc. from a variety of sources
The acorns appear in many historical sites during the war, previous to that photography was not as common
http://cdn.history.com/sites/2/2013/12/george-meade-P.jpeg
wool ones
http://www.cavhooah.com/cav-shop/st...r-style-cavalry-yellow-enlisted-hat-cord.html

 

[Moviehats]

Recently aged





I have my own solution I make. It took years to get it where I am happy with it.

 

[liten]

Liten... for clarification, you are saying that the cords on your image above are 'Indian War' era cords? Weren't they used in the Civil War as well??

When would the 'acorn' cord appear, timewise??

Thanks...

~shoes~

Yes the same cord was used in the civil war? the only difference was, it was a orangy yellow.

 

[liten]

Liten... for clarification, you are saying that the cords on your image above are 'Indian War' era cords? Weren't they used in the Civil War as well??

When would the 'acorn' cord appear, timewise??

Thanks...

~shoes~

Turn of the century spanam war? the acon cords were used in the indain wars and civil war on officers hats only! and they were not a plain yellow , they were a mix of black and darker shade yellow

 

[liten]

Liten... for clarification, you are saying that the cords on your image above are 'Indian War' era cords? Weren't they used in the Civil War as well??

When would the 'acorn' cord appear, timewise??

Thanks...

~shoes~

Spanam war period? this one is dated 1899

 

[Redshoes51]

Liten...

Thank you, sir!!

~shoes~