Home Made Stain From Steel Wool and Vinegar

Great looking finish, i’ll give a try! Thanks for the idea!

-- Kelly, woodworker under construction

”Gently rub your screen to feel the finish! (just kidding!)” LMAO : )
The color is perfect for the pieces…..hey , wait a minute , these aren’t MDF ! LOL

-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.

Be careful what wood you use this recipe on, if you use it on oak it will turn black, as well as any other wood with high ligning content. It is in fact one half of the recipe for ebonizing wood. Any catecol mixed with a solution of vinegar and iron will turn the wood black as night. It is a two step process.

-- Just because you’ve always done it that way doesn’t mean it’s not incredibly stupid.

@JGM0658: Thank you for your input. I knew it could be used to ebonize wood but didn’t know what wood. The usual rule is more than ever important here, always make tests on scraps of the same species.

@Dusty56: I’m sorry to disappoint you! No MDF here! :-)

Best,

Serge

-- Learn from yesterday, work today and enjoy success tomorrow. -- http://atelierdubricoleur.wordpress.com

That’s very pretty. I’ve also heard of that trick for ebonizing oak but hadn’t heard of it used to finish other woods in this manner. Is that a pine you used?

-- "If you can't do something smart, do something right." -- Sheppard Book

@Tdazzo: Thank you. Yes, it is pine.

Best,

Serge

-- Learn from yesterday, work today and enjoy success tomorrow. -- http://atelierdubricoleur.wordpress.com

Wow! You really brought a beautiful look to a plain Jane wood. I really like that idea. Always looking to save money but sometimes the project reflects that but your recipe turned out looking very nice.

Very good tip Serge. Nice lookin glue-up on those tops also. Really gr8 finish.

-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Kentuk55@bellsouth.net

Very good idea. It sure does look nice.

-- Remember, measure twice, cut once

Thanks for your comments. I hope you like this stain enough to give it a try because it really works. Pine is a pain to stain because the finish tends to get blotchy, but not with this particular stain. It raises the grain, but not as much as water based stain. A light sanding is required.

Best,

Serge

-- Learn from yesterday, work today and enjoy success tomorrow. -- http://atelierdubricoleur.wordpress.com

I dig it Serge … im finding my way into more and mroe home made finishes and tools as well. Keepin it simple.

-- "there aren’t many hand tools as awe-inspiring as the #8 jointer. I mean, it just reeks of cast iron heft and hubris" - Smitty

Thanks for the tip, Serge! And, thanks to JMG0658 for the chemistry lesson! I’ve never been happy with efforts to get a good black finish on oak with commercial stains. I’m gonna make up a project just to try this! Or, maybe I’ll do the facings on the cabinets I’m restoring for my workshop with ebonized oak.

-- "If you ain't happy, change yer mind!"

great ide.
We love cheap and simple stuff here!
Thanks.
Best thoughts,
Mads

-- Mad F, the fanatical rhykenologist and vintage architect. Democraticwoodworking.