Ebonizing

Dissolve steel wool in vinegar or acetic acid. When you wipe it on tannin rich woods like oak, they will turn black. You can actually “brew” oakleaves/bark to make a tannin rich tea…to wipe first on wood not rich in tannin…then apply the ebonizing solution. It will raise the grain, sand, apply some more…repeat…seal with oil.

Hmmm, thanks Marsupilami. Any clues on proportions? What type of vinegar? Leaves and bark soaked in water? Vinegar?

-- The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that our aim is too low and we reach it.. Michelangelo

I haven’t used the vinegar and steel wool method before, the smell of vinegar makes me sick.

But, I have used a method of using india ink. and minwax ebony stain to create a really black finish.

-- San Diego, CA

Thanks Interpim. I think that sounds like a better route for me. I purchased some india ink this weekend.

-- The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that our aim is too low and we reach it.. Michelangelo

I’m with interpim. I’ve tried everything. Vinegar and st. wool has an unacceptable brown tint to it, black leather dye can be blotchy but India ink works. It even allows the grain (quarter sawn white oak) show through.
Good luck, Kimball

I’d go the dye plus the India ink route much better results

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/