The same thing happens if you use the solution after only 8 hours or so, just not enough iron dissolved out. The wool probably had a dunk of oil or something that made it harder to break down. I used to make a lot of furniture with air dried red oak and I liked the uneven nature so I’d keep testing and use the solution when it had just enough color. When you add oil over it will mellow, and the purplish color almost looks like East Indian Rosewood.
Thanks Cory. That does sound nice. So you used the solution after 8 hours or so? The tinting on these chairs mellowed during testing with alcohol, but it was too distracting (some rungs were extremely light, others rather dark).
Yea, I did keep keep to boards from one log, which helped. But the variation in color made it look a lot more like a dark wood than a flat stained look. I also made sure to cut out any sap, though I've sometimes used that for good effect in a slatted wall or wide glue up where there was more than enough to make it not look like an accident. I don't have photos of these pieces up on my site anymore but I found a couple on archiproducts (cheesy copy is not mine) https://www.archiproducts.com/en/news/design-joinery-a-love-affair-by-armada-ny_70240 These were very purple when treated, and the photos were only a week or two after finishing (with monocoat or osmo, can't remember)
I like that....thanks for sharing the website. The slight variation and depth of color are quite nice. That's also what I look to achieve with the ebonizing - the depth instead of a flat, stained look. I'll give it another run soon...
After using my own steel/vinegar solution on the chair we made during class its developed into a wonderful green baby-poo hue .... lol idk what kind of chemical reaction happened there but I'll be using india ink to remedy the issue
Some steel wools are coated in an oil to prevent rusting. These don't react well with the vinegar. I don't know if this is the issue in this case, but I would not be surprised HF steel wool is coated.
Thanks Ron. I believe that's exactly what's going on here. I hadn't experienced it before, only heard about it as a possiblity. I'll be more decerning with my steel wool's going forward.
Andy - This is what I was referring to in class about washing the steel wool. I may have never had quality steel wool and have always picked it up at the local ACE hardware but I have found washing in dawn dishwashing liquid before adding to the vinegar resolves the dissolving issue.
I realize this is a late comment but I am wondering if those two similar chairs were the ones you had unfinished and hanging on the wall during our class about 4 weeks ago? If so, then I think you have answered my question about how you got them so dark: black milk paint.
The same thing happens if you use the solution after only 8 hours or so, just not enough iron dissolved out. The wool probably had a dunk of oil or something that made it harder to break down. I used to make a lot of furniture with air dried red oak and I liked the uneven nature so I’d keep testing and use the solution when it had just enough color. When you add oil over it will mellow, and the purplish color almost looks like East Indian Rosewood.
Thanks Cory. That does sound nice. So you used the solution after 8 hours or so? The tinting on these chairs mellowed during testing with alcohol, but it was too distracting (some rungs were extremely light, others rather dark).
Yea, I did keep keep to boards from one log, which helped. But the variation in color made it look a lot more like a dark wood than a flat stained look. I also made sure to cut out any sap, though I've sometimes used that for good effect in a slatted wall or wide glue up where there was more than enough to make it not look like an accident. I don't have photos of these pieces up on my site anymore but I found a couple on archiproducts (cheesy copy is not mine) https://www.archiproducts.com/en/news/design-joinery-a-love-affair-by-armada-ny_70240 These were very purple when treated, and the photos were only a week or two after finishing (with monocoat or osmo, can't remember)
I like that....thanks for sharing the website. The slight variation and depth of color are quite nice. That's also what I look to achieve with the ebonizing - the depth instead of a flat, stained look. I'll give it another run soon...
After using my own steel/vinegar solution on the chair we made during class its developed into a wonderful green baby-poo hue .... lol idk what kind of chemical reaction happened there but I'll be using india ink to remedy the issue
Lol. That's the first I've heard of green. I haven't used the india ink before...will have to give it a try sometime.
Some steel wools are coated in an oil to prevent rusting. These don't react well with the vinegar. I don't know if this is the issue in this case, but I would not be surprised HF steel wool is coated.
Thanks Ron. I believe that's exactly what's going on here. I hadn't experienced it before, only heard about it as a possiblity. I'll be more decerning with my steel wool's going forward.
Andy - This is what I was referring to in class about washing the steel wool. I may have never had quality steel wool and have always picked it up at the local ACE hardware but I have found washing in dawn dishwashing liquid before adding to the vinegar resolves the dissolving issue.
I realize this is a late comment but I am wondering if those two similar chairs were the ones you had unfinished and hanging on the wall during our class about 4 weeks ago? If so, then I think you have answered my question about how you got them so dark: black milk paint.