Replies

1. 
   sapwood | Jan 26, 2006 05:44am | #1

   You don't say what you are using, but......... when I want to get wood black I find that a combination of analine dyes does it the best. I use both water soluble and alchohol dyes. Red oak will also blacken by using a homemade dye. Soak some steel wool or old nails in some vinegar for a while and apply this concoction to the wood. The tannic acid in the oak reacts with the iron to form iron oxide which is black. I've done this but find that the analine dyes are easier and more consistent. Be mindful that different manufacturers dyes are different colors. Not all, in fact none, are really BLACK. Some tend to be bluish (cool) and others are more red (warm).

   Nothing is simple is it?

2. 
   ring | Jan 26, 2006 01:41pm | #2

   I'm assuming you used the oak because you want to keep its grain structure even tho' the finish is black.  If so, then use a 2-stage process to get it really black.  First the vinegar-iron treatment, then black aniline dye.  Finish with lacquer or varnish (which you can also tint black if needed). 

   If you wanted a black "piano" finish, it's a whole different process.  Don't use the oak unless you want its grain to show.

   DR 

1. 
   bdundee1 | Jan 27, 2006 03:36am | #3

   thank you very much I will give it a try

3. 
   Floss | Jan 27, 2006 05:50pm | #4

   Some good advice so far. Also, when you are finished use black wax or shoe polish to finish it off.

   J.P.

   http://www.jpkfinefurniture.com
4. 
   jcinco | Feb 01, 2006 11:01am | #5

   If you have a compressor and an airbrush you've got it made.  Use paint.  First, sand down to 300+.  Then blow out the grain with compressed air.  Next, use your airbrush and adjust the air/paint mixture to be very lean (lots of air, not much paint). Paint at 90 degrees to the surface.  Let it dry, then steel wool will pull the paint from the grain.  The object will look like jet black oak and the grain will be completely visible.  You can then coat with another op coat if you like.

1. 
   bdundee1 | Feb 01, 2006 06:08pm | #6

   that sounds cool and really fun i will give it a try on a test piece  thank you

1. 
   sapwood | Feb 02, 2006 02:03am | #7

   That sounds good for black, but have you ever looked at a piece of ebony? It isn't jet black.