[Juli_e]

Hello everyone! I am not sure if I am posting in the correct section since I have no knowledge whatsoever about chemical reactions that were not taught at school.

There is a wooden panel. Is it possible to put on the surface of the wood symbols that would look as if they were formed just below the surface? I mean that the image would look as if it has been created from the inside of the panel. I would appreciate if someone could help me.

[Honclbrif]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trompe-l%27%C5%93il

[Juli_e]

Sorry for being misleading. I am reading an ambiguous ghost story, where there might or not be ghosts. There is said that the ghost has made the marks that are described in the following way: "I moved close to the door again, to run my fingers over the smudge. It left no trace of soot on them, nor any kind of scent, and its surface was quite smooth. The more I studied it, in fact, the more it seemed to me that the mark had the faintest sort of bloom or patina over it... as though it had somehow developed just below the surface of the wood." I think it was done by a human being; the question for me is "how?" that is why I am looking for chemicals that in combination with paint/whatever would make this illusion.

[Honclbrif]

The wood could perhaps be lightened with hydrogen peroxide, or chemically aged with a strong base like lye to darken it.

[Juli_e]

Thank you so much for your answer! Do you happen to know what may cause the burn marks on the ceiling?

[Honclbrif]

A sooty fire?

[Juli_e]

More like a chemical burn...

[Honclbrif]

Sulfuric acid will put a chemical burn on just about anything except glass, gold, and a few other special materials.

[Juli_e]

Thank you SO much! You've helped me a lot!!!