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Pickling Wood |
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| A
pickling solution has been applied to the door on the
left. |
The
technique is called wood pickling and it's accomplished using
distilled white vinegar (regular household vinegar) and steel
wool. The science behind it is simple. When the vinegar, which
is usually between 5% and 8% acetic acid, is left to react with
iron, the result is iron acetate. If this solution is brushed
on wood, the iron acetate reacts with the natural tannins in
the wood, producing varying shades of gray to black. This technique
can be applied to a range of projects, from fine furniture to
a new garden gate.
Making the Pickling Solution
Place 1l (1.1 qt) of vinegar in a glass or plastic jar and fully
submerge in it two to three pads or a 6" to 8" strip
of fine, oil-free (so as not to contaminate the solution) steel
wool. If the steel wool is not fully submerged, it will rust
and turn your pickling solution a brown color. When applied
to the wood, this will result in more of a brown stain. Do not
use metal utensils in the mixture, which will introduce iron
that will contaminate the solution. Seal the jar with a lid
with holes punched in it to allow gases to escape.
Allow the pickling mixture to sit for about 24 hours. During
that period, the steel wool will disintegrate and fall to the
bottom. If you see any brown in the solution before 24 hours
has passed, it means the steel-wool particles are beginning
to rust and the pickling mixture should be decanted. To remove
the fine grains of steel wool, pour the solution through a coffee
filter. You may need to do this two to three times until the
mixture is cloudy white. As time progresses, the solution will
slowly turn brown. Keep it in a closed container (no holes in
the lid) in a dark location and use within two weeks. If used
after two weeks, the pickling mixture will still react with
the tannins in the wood, but it will begin producing a brown
rather than gray color.
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Other Articles from this Issue |
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