My first project with white oak, I would like a not so common oak looking finish. It is a tool box with 11 pull out drawers. I have a house full of oak finished furniture, but would like a little darker appearance to the eye. Yes I know all about stains, but just looking for a new twist to me, but not new to some lumberjocks…..thank you.
Blog entry by BigD184321 | posted 08-31-2016 11:25 AM | 1108 reads | 0 times favorited | 6 comments | ![]() |
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6 comments so far
ScottM1
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135 posts in 2638 days
#1 posted 08-31-2016 11:51 AM
My Grandfather use to make a lot of rustic oak projects. He kept a bucket with water in it and put scrap iron in it. he would wipe the oak with a rag soaked in the rusty water. the iron in the water would turn the oak a silvery gray (aged) look.
-- Scott Marshburn,https://www.youtube.com/user/ecabinetstips, FaceBook, https://www.facebook.com/ecabinetstipsandtricks, Twitter, https://twitter.com/eCabinetstips
dbray45
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3408 posts in 3832 days
#2 posted 08-31-2016 12:23 PM
How about dyes – a whole different twist? Then there is the ammonia gas that reacts to the oak and darkens it.
-- David in Palm Bay, FL
revanson11
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113 posts in 3389 days
#3 posted 08-31-2016 01:09 PM
The nice thing about fuming with with ammonia is that you can easily adjust the darkness of the finished project. There are many youtube videos on the process and comments on this site to assist. I use common ammonia cleaner from the grocery store and have fumed projects from a couple of hours to over 48 hours when I was looking for a darker finish. You just need to be a little careful when using ammonia.
-- Randy, Central MN
pintodeluxe
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6345 posts in 3869 days
#4 posted 08-31-2016 03:42 PM
Stain over dye techniques are fun for smaller projects. I find them tedious on large furniture pieces, but the effect is really something. Especially if the oak is quartersawn, and you use a light honey colored dye first, then a walnut colored stain over the top. Jeff Jewitt is a modern expert on the topic… http://homesteadfinishingproducts.com/
-- Willie, Washington "If You Choose Not To Decide, You Still Have Made a Choice" - Rush
GR8HUNTER
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8337 posts in 1768 days
#5 posted 08-31-2016 03:50 PM
EBONIZIING perfect for oak
-- Tony---- Reinholds,Pa.------ REMEMBER TO ALWAYS HAVE FUN :<))
HokieKen
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17313 posts in 2194 days
#6 posted 09-02-2016 04:14 PM
The above are all great suggestions. But, if you want a quick and easy finish, Watco Dark Walnut Danish Oil gives a dark appearance to oak. These are some laminated screwdriver handles I made with white oak and finished with the Danish Oil:
-- I collect hobbies. There is no sense in limiting yourself (Don W) - - - - - - - - Kenny in SW VA
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