Staining maple

[Hang Fire]

Hangfire..I made a batch..seems to work well...another tool in the belt...thank you


Does your mix come out a little green looking in the jar?


BTW that is one sweet looking rifle...nice

No green, almost black.

Thanks on the rifle comment, was and may be the last one I made, it is a .54 with a Getz barrel.

[Hang Fire]

WOW

I never stop being impressed by the talented bunch of individuals that land here. That is some durn fine looking geetars. I am going to try my blended alcohol stain concoction for my first go round with the underhammer......then go from there. I made up a couple batches of dyed aqua fortis I am currently testing on some blocks. I wanted to make another batch of aqua fortis but I broke my retort,,,gravity. My distilled fortis is weaker than I figure/guess the boughten stuff is....but I am just doing a multiple pass thing to compensate..........we will see when my test pieces have aged a bit. I am in no hurry on this endeavor.

WOW The guns/guitars/machinery etc pics posted here both inspire and humiliate me.................unreal.

Aqua Fortis, AKA nitric acid. Here is a hint for a readily available no hassle aqua fortis, take a look at the #1 ingredient in Birchwood Casey Plumb Brown, it is nitric acid. I have had very good luck using the Plumb Brown diluted with distilled water to desired strength for staining maple stocks for a lighter or darker color.

[357maximum]

Aqua Fortis, AKA nitric acid. Here is a hint for a readily available no hassle aqua fortis, take a look at the #1 ingredient in Birchwood Casey Plumb Brown, it is nitric acid. I have had very good luck using the Plumb Brown diluted with distilled water to desired strength for staining maple stocks for a lighter or darker color.

Actually Nitric Acid water is not all that hard to make from Potassium Nitrate and reduced battery acid....just have to have a chemist's clue and be careful.

I am actually starting to like the looks of another process I picked up off the net.

Step one coat stock with a weak mix of lye/water..let sit a few mins on warm approaching hot stock wait 5- 15 mins.

Step two coat stock with vinegar to nautralize...wait 15 mins

Step three coat with plain water daub off excess let dry.

I wet sanded very lightly with 400 grit between steps and am very pleased with the depth I can peer into the wood. I have a few sample pieces getting exposed to different climates in the house and in the barn both in light and out....just waiting to see what happens. On one set I added dye made from boiled osage orange sawdust...I am really liking the looks of that yellowish/brown I got from that process........testing for color fastness right now and it is seeming to hold it. Basically right now I am just systematically PLAYING to see what I can do with things.

I thank ye all for the ideas.