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 Post subject: How to Ebonize
PostPosted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 7:17 am 
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Location: Georgetown, SC
Is the vinegar iron method the only way to ebonize? I've heard that using India Ink is better than stain to ebonize a piece of wood. Is any brand better than another? What about the wood? Hard maple is what I've seen used, but what about a darker wood like walnut?

This is a new step for me - any and all advice is welcome.


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 Post subject: Re: How to Ebonize
PostPosted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 7:46 am 
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Location: Hamilton, MS
ZMan wrote:
Is the vinegar iron method the only way to ebonize? I've heard that using India Ink is better than stain to ebonize a piece of wood. Is any brand better than another? What about the wood? Hard maple is what I've seen used, but what about a darker wood like walnut?

This is a new step for me - any and all advice is welcome.


I've used TransTint dye on various light and dark woods with good results. http://homesteadfinishingproducts.com/t ... quid-dyes/

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 Post subject: Re: How to Ebonize
PostPosted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 6:12 pm 
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Hey Zman,

I agree with Gene, if you want to ebonize maple, you should use an aniline dye like TransTint. The iron water (with vinegar) method only works on wood species with a high tannin content, like oak or walnut.

Cheers,
Tom

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 Post subject: Re: How to Ebonize
PostPosted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 8:44 am 
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I used India Ink on a small walnut box.
The process was easy enough ... use lots of gloves and plenty of protection clothing ;)

As I recall though, I didn't like how it left the wood. Seemed a bit ... flat and more grayish? than a deep black.
Ultimately I covered the Ink with Ebony Transtint and got the results I was after.

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