Oxidizing Wood with Steel Wool and Vinegar
This process yields beautiful grays, blues, and purples on maple.
Apr 04, 2019
I often use a steel wool and vinegar process on maple and other tannin-light woods, but I call it oxidizing instead of ebonizing. Oxidizing uses a lighter solution, which you can get by diluting the ebonizing solution with water or vinegar, or making a different solution with about half the amount of steel wool as the original. All you want is a slight reaction.
The most difficult part of oxidizing is choosing the finish that will go on top of it. Anything oil-based will amber the wood, turning the beautiful cool colors muddy and green. You want a finish that doesn’t change the color of the wood, so you can keep those blues and grays. I’d suggest a water-based spray finish for this.
See Michael’s article in FWW #275-May/June 2019 Issue to see how he creates his solution and check out part 1 of this 2-part series to see the dramatic results of steel wool and vinegar on oak.
More on FineWoodworking.com:
- An Exploration in Finishing – A modern take on jin-di-sugi and ebonizing by Kevin Rodel, Anissa Kapsales #196–Jan/Feb 2008 Issue
- All About Dyes and Stains by William Duckworth
- Should Woodworkers Say Goodbye to Ebony?
Comments
Hey, about 10 or so years ago I stumbled on a way to instantly darken cherry wood to a beautiful deep red. It brings out the grain simulating an old time aged patina. You have to sand or scrape smooth the surface as if for any finish. Pour grocery store Walnut Oil on a clean rag & wipe it down let it soak in a while. Come back after a few hours, wipe it off and do it again, after a few hours wipe it all off. Walnut Oil evaporates completely, I do not know how long you have to wait till you can use your clear finish of choice. I never did anything else to this block of wood but every so often I come across it, it looks the same - pretty red block of wood.
Let me know if it works for you. RRH
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