Serendipity?

As Artie Johnson would say “Verly interesting.” Keep us updated, Gene.

-- God bless, Candy

It will be interesting to see the results of this chance experiment.

-- Chris ** If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. — Tom Paine **

there is always coffee gene

what the mexicans use
for all those things we see imported

makes everything look antiqued

will be good to see how this goes
on the different woods

-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle

Thanks for the info Gene.
I’m going to add this thread to my watch list to see what happens.
Thanks again.

Results of my experiment were somewhat illuminating.

Dipped a stick each of walnut, maple and poplar in a solution of 1/2 cup of water and two tablespoons of baking soda. That darkened the poplar somewhat, the maple not at all and the walnut quite a bit.

Then, I made some tea. A one quart sized bag in 2 cups of boiling water. Let it steep for 1/2 hour. Washed a stick of each wood with the tea. Let it get pretty dry and then dipped it in the baking soda solution.
The maple took on a really golden honey color, quite nice. The light part of poplar got pretty dark and the green part turned brown. The difference between the light and dark became quite muted. Still discernible but not nearly as stark as before. The walnut got a shade darker than the piece just dipped in the baking soda solution.

With all but the poplar, I think the same effect could be had with stain. But, my experience with staining poplar leads me to think that a pre-treatment with the tea and baking soda would at least produce a more even color after staining.

-- Gene 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

This is very useful, thanks. I wonder if it could sub for ammonia fuming?

-- There are good ships and there are wood ships, the ships that sail the sea, but the best ships are friendships and may they always be. http://www.geraldlhunsucker.com/

Gene, I did something real similar by mixing scotch with 12 ounces of water. I’m not sure what the stir stick was made out of but it turned everything green…..

-- My mind is like lighting, one brilliant flash, then its gone.....

Marty, Your first mistake was using water.

-- Gene 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

Serendipity i tried that once but found it mixes better with cranberry juice and Canadian blended whiskey

-- Jesus Is Alright with me

Dunno, Jerry. The oak I used was red oak. I’ve only fumed white oak and the result wasn’t the same color as the red oak piece dipped in baking soda and water. I don’t have any more white oak to test. Do you?

This is very useful, thanks. I wonder if it could sub for ammonia fuming?

- Jerry

-- Gene 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

Bases will do that to woods. It is the reaction with the tannins.
Challenge is that it is hard to control the concentration/timing – to get even color, or match two tables.
Marc Spagnolo did a video on this this summer – on aging wood with baking soda.

-- “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Mark Twain

Left to right: Walnut, Poplar, Maple.
Untreated on the left of each treated sample.
Crappy camera. The poplar’s untreated piece didn’t show it’s contrast between the light and dark. But, there is quite a contrast.

-- Gene 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

Very interesting. I wonder how that would work if it was sprayed on a turned bowl or pen? Hmmm ….

-- Chris ** If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. — Tom Paine **

Dunno, Chris. Probably work well. Apply the tea liberally. Let it set for a couple hours, then wash it with the banking soda mixture. I used about 2 Tbl spoons of baking soda in about a cup of water.
I found that if you set it in the sun to dry for a day, it gets much darker.
Of course, it always gets darker at the end of the day. :-)

-- Gene 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

I’ve got a piece of oakI think could be a candidate for this experiment. Just have to wait until Sherry finishes her bowl, which is looking great so far.

-- Chris ** If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. — Tom Paine **