Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998
Ebonizing Questions
TomW in SouthJersey
>I turned a lid for a vessel from oak. I stained it dark rosewood but I don't like the color and would like to ebonize it.
1 - Can I still ebonize since I already applied stain?
2 - Best way to make the ebonizing formula? I read I can use vinegar and steel wool. And let it soak in there after the solution starts to turn black.
Is that it? It sounds too easy. Is there something I'm missing or a better way to do it?
Re: Ebonizing Questions
John Lucas
>Tom
In a situation like that I would use India Ink. It will cover whatever you've already put on itexcept for wax. John
Re: Ebonizing Questions
Pascal Oudet
>Tom,
I don't know if the vinegar solution will work after the stain. it's a chemical reaction with tannin in the wood, so as long as the stain doesn't block the penetration of the solution, it might work. just try on a scrap piece. the final black color might have a bit of the stain hue in it though.
about the mixture: it doesn't turn black, it stays clear (can become of a "rusty" color over time). and you apply it to the wood, which will turn black with chemical reaction.
I prefer to use old nails instead of steel wool which has often a protective coat preventing reaction with the vinegar.
I apply 2 coats of the solution, then 2 coats of danish oil. it gives a really nice black.
Pascal
Re: Thank you
TomW in SouthJersey
>Thanks. I've been watching the jar of vinegar and steel wool waiting for it to turn black. I'll toss some nails in also.
I'll sand the piece a little to get some of the stain off.
Tom
Re: Thank you
Stuart Johnson
>Tom, I'm not sure the vinegar will turn black. I've only tried it once and at best it was a very pale blue. It worked great. Try what you have on a piece of scrape.
Re: Thank you
Jim Eddy
>Hardware store steel wool is typically oiled. It makes fine finishes difficult, and is probably the reason it doesn't dissolve in the vinegar. I bought a reel of Liberon steel wool many years ago, still have a good bit of it, and it works well both as a finishing tool and to make ebonizing juice (ferric acetate, I believe?) You can get it from Star Finishes, and from Woodworkers Supply, I believe.
