Hi Everyone – I have a finishing conundrum that I can’t figure out, and was wondering if anyone out there can help. I am a guitar maker and I’m finishing one that has a sapele body with incredible chatoyance that I want to keep under a transparent black finish. I have settled on ebonizing using a combination of black tea and steel wool dissolved in vinegar and have finally achieved the stain I want, however…
I can’t get the pores to fill with color, so I’m left with annoying light spots on multiple test pieces. I want to leave the grain open for texture and just color the pores; I’ve tried Mixol pigment dissolved in water and denatured alcohol, TransTint dye dissolved in water and denatured alcohol, and can’t get them to fill with black. Even Minwax oil based stains don’t completely fill all the pores. I’ve also tried to sand some dust in between coats for a slurry without success. General Finishes Water Based Black Stain did the trick, but it’s far too opaque for what I want to achieve.
Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this, and I would appreciate any advice anyone can offer to help me solve this frustrating problem!
Thanks,
Mark
Replies
I tend to use India Ink for any ebonizing I do. Way less hassle and you get a nice consistent coat. I've had success filling in the small pores with the ink. Just take your time and brush it in then wipe it off.
Try adding a small amount of denatured alcohol to break the surface tension of the steel wool/vinegar
ok, thanks!
Thanks!
I would use lampblack. It will readily flow into those pores. You could mix the lampblack into shellac or other finish. Or possibly just brush the dry lampblack into the pores, then coat over with the finish.
I use lampblack a lot mixed with Plaster of Paris to fill the grain with black. I understand that you don’t want to fill.
Tim
Wood Magazine.com has a couple of great articles on filling pores.
Best of luck,
Mikaol
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