Weathering Wood

[crazeykayaker]

In regard to the suggestion of putting iron in white vinegar to weather wood. . . in place of a nail in vinegar use fine steel wool (i.e. OOOO).  As a wood worker I use this method to "ebonize" walnut wood to make it look like ebony.   The longer you allow the steel wool to sit in the vinegar the more concentrate the solution.  The solution is actually a weak form of Iron Sulfate which tends to react with the tannin in the wood and cause it to darken.  Lite concentration = gray.  High concentration = dark gray to black depending on the original color of the wood AND the natural concentration of tannin in the wood.  It is also a good idea to filter the solution through a coffee filter before use to rid the liquid of tiny iron pieces from the steel wool.

[Rene Schweitzer]

Hey crazykayaker,

Why don't you submit this tip to the column in the print magazine (you'll get paid!). Just email what you posted here to [e-mail] 

Make sure to include your full name and a mailing address.

Rene

[kstrong]

Minor chemical correction - the solution is iron acetate. (Vinegar is a mild concentration of acetic acid.)

Not only is the solution good for weathering wood (note, it colors different woods differently, so play around for different effects!), but it's also a great weathering medium for weathering trucks, wheels, and other metal parts. The solution evaporates, leaving the iron, which then rusts.

Later,

K

[crazeykayaker]

As noted;  the acid in the solution is NOT Iron Sulfate but is Iron Acetate.

I appreciate the correction.

It has been 40+ years since my last chemistry class!

Tom K.

[crazeykayaker]

To  kstrong: correction made.

Thanks!

[TJ Lee]

http://tjstrains.com/568/chemically-staining-wood/

With pictures.

Best,

TJ