DYI / Home Made Stain ???

[Doghair6541]

Looking for a DYI stain for bare wood relicing. Heard Water Vinegar Tobacco ! Any others ? Thank u

 

[HandCarver]

Ebonizing is a great way to get a base for top coat:

Ebonizing Wood with Steel Wool and Vinegar - FineWoodworking

This steel wood and vinegar method for ebonizing wood is appropriate whether you want a dark, graphic look or tones of gray, blue, and purple.

www.finewoodworking.com

 

[Freeman Keller]

Tea is a common stain. Experiment on scraps of the same wood.

 

[old wrench]

Black Walnut hulls make a good strong stain

Aqua Fortis does a real pretty job on Curly Maple in particular.

I've experimented with the vinegar/steel wool solution quite a bit - it only works on certain woods, woods which have a considerable tannin content - it turns other woods a fugly greenish color reminiscent of baby poo.

Fuming with ammonia vapors is another one


.

 

[dogmeat]

lots of food related things make stains.... berries, wine, turmeric, onion skin

never used those on guitars but have in other art work.

you can get any color stain you want with dyes. your local art store has them I'm sure. there are a couple kinds. those that are only water soluble will work but you have to let it dry before top coating. that dye is also soluble in alcohol but not in normal paint solvents so it will dissolve in shellac, but not lacquer. and yes I have used it to tint guitars and amps. StewMac sells universal dyes that mix with anything, including epoxy

 

[40flash]

I went to Hobby Lobby and bought an inexpensive bottle of calligraphy ink for this build. I rubbed it all over the ash top, sanded back so it was just into the grain. Made it pop, I think. Maybe don't sand back to get the look you desire?

 

[old wrench]

lots of food related things make stains.... berries, wine, turmeric, onion skin

never used those on guitars but have in other art work.

you can get any color stain you want with dyes. your local art store has them I'm sure. there are a couple kinds. those that are only water soluble will work but you have to let it dry before top coating. that dye is also soluble in alcohol but not in normal paint solvents so it will dissolve in shellac, but not lacquer. and yes I have used it to tint guitars and amps. StewMac sells universal dyes that mix with anything, including epoxy

When I was a little fella we used to use those natural stains you mention for dying Easter eggs

Same thing with the Black Walnut shells

They are non-toxic - so they are safe to use around food


.

 

[58Bassman]

Black Walnut hulls make a good strong stain

Aqua Fortis does a real pretty job on Curly Maple in particular.

I've experimented with the vinegar/steel wool solution quite a bit - it only works on certain woods, woods which have a considerable tannin content - it turns other woods a fugly greenish color reminiscent of baby poo.

Fuming with ammonia vapors is another one


.

Tea has been a traditional first step for using Iron Acetate (steel wool & Vinegar) because it contains the tannin needed for the reaction.

Fuming reacts with the tannin, too- would try the tea as a firs step in that method, too.

For anyone who wants to use the type of ammonia that has traditionally used in fuming, it's called 'Anhydrous Ammonia' and is/was used for developing blueprints.

 

[Full-Tilt-Tele]

I've had some success using 'Old English Oil' stain, thinned out 1:3 with mineral oil... Try it on a scrap, might be the ticket.

 

[Big_Vig]

On the pictured partscaster.

1. Sand progressively: 320; 400; fine Scotch Bright scuff pad
2. MinWax Ebony Stain (or your chosen stain) rubbed in, wiped thin.
Dry overnight
3. Equal parts Mix:
Clear Polyurethane
Boiled Linseed Oil
Turpentine, Odorless
Japan Dryer added at about 5% of volume
4. Apply the wet Mix with fine #4000 steel wool.
Let dry about 1/2 hr.
Heavy wipe with paper towels.
Let dry 2 days.
5. Rubbed with #4000 steel wool, wiped hard with microfiber cloth.
6. Apply Mix very light with fine scuff pad.
Let dry 1 day.
7. Apply and rub hard with Bees Wax with fine scuff pad.
Rub hard to wipe with paper towels.
8. Optional: Buff with Bees Wax with microfiber cloth by hand or buffer.

If you want to relic the finish just go at it with a fine scuff pad.

 

[rdjones]

Beet
Cranberry
Grape
Coffee
Tea
Lime
Cocoa
Vanilla
Tomato
Pepper
Red #2

 

[IggyT]

Looking for a DYI stain for bare wood relicing. Heard Water Vinegar Tobacco ! Any others ? Thank u

I used to mix strong tea, vinegar and throw in some steel wool…great for turning wood “grey”

 

[Doghair6541]

Gray is what I’m looking for, and maybe thin it out a bit to look dirty
Thank u for info