Just wanted to add a little bit to the last post. Ebonizing of the project went well. For the iron solution I used steel wool and apple cider vinegar. Time pressures made it so I couldn't wait 7 days for the solution, so I waited about 4 days, stirring each day. And since it was chilly in the garage I also wrapped it in a heated "corn cozy" a lot of the time - heat increases the rate of a chemical reaction.
The steel wool had not disintegrated like it usually does, so I was a little worried. So I tested the solution by dipping a couple test pieces in an oak-shaving tannin broth and then in the iron solution.
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| Test pieces turned color quickly |
With a good test I went for it, giving the project a heavy coat of hot tannin broth, letting it dry and later knocking down the raised fibers. I repeated that and after it was dried and sanded I applied the iron solution. The color went dark quickly, but I still added a couple more coats.
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| Still wet with first coats - drill shown for black comparison |
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| Hanging from the bicycle seat drying |
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| After all ebonizing steps |
When satisfied, I coated with BLO, waited 15 minutes and wiped dry, then waited a day before a second coat. Lacking time, that was all the coats it would get. This morning I gave it a couple coats of paste wax and it shined up pretty good.
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| The complete tray |
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| Lookin' shiny |
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| The final shot |
Happy with how this came out. And just in time ...
