I have no idea what made me think of this or if it would work and the like... that said here is a complete shot in the dark, those that know more can feel free to smack this down. BUT, I would imagine that if you took an the wooden orange then saturated it with water for several hours flash dry the outside with a hair dryer and then put on a coat of poly or any other sit on top finish, wait for it to dry a bit then throw it in a microwave for 40 seconds. Here is what I am thinking- over a period of hours water soaks into the wood, the flash dry takes off the top layer of water leaving much more free water on the inside, a quick drying top finish is applied. When you put it in the microwave all of those water particles have got to go somewhere and I'm guessing that as they evaporate they will push out tiny little bubbles all over the finish. Again... no idea if that would work but it makes sense in my head so it must be true:laughing: good luck with it.... let us know how it goes, happy turnin,
Bond

 

Thanks bond, gut feelings are usually right so maybe I should try it, my uncle thought that maybe I could take a rubber hammer and some of that drywall paper with the holes in it and beat the design right into the fruit, still not sure but thanks for the advice:thumbsup:

 

Interesting concept you're trying to make.

How about this: spray (or dip or paint) one half of the orange in shellac and before it dries sprinkle it with salt. The grains should stick but not be totally encased in the shellac. They won't dissolve in the alcohol base.

When it's dried, wash the salt away ... there should be pits left in the shellac ...

If salt works, sugar would also work -- powdered sugar if you want smaller dimples.

Then do the other half.

 

I guess this may sound a bit redneckish (I think that is a word, isn't it?) but, what about making it smooth, then, before finnishing it, drop it repeatedly on the road or driveway, dropping it each time so that a different area makes impact with the road. I would think after a few dozen times, it would give it a pitted or dimpled texture. then just clean it and use whatever finnish you planned on.

I really have no idea if this would work or not, but it might

 

I believe there are orange peel spray finish products for faux finishing, but they might be pigmented.

 

Thanks guys I'll let you know how it turns out!