How to ebonize wood with steel wool and vinegar. How to turn wood black. Aging wood.

Ebonizing wood is really simple . Ebonizing wood is the effect of blackening a naturally lighter colored wood to apear more like black ebony wood.
Ebonized wood turns black, like ebony, while still allowing the wood grain to show through. #ebonizing #woodworking #ebonizingwood
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ITEMS USED IN THIS VIDEO
Homax 10120000 Steel Wool, 12 pad, Grade #0000, Rhodes American, Final Finish
Brand: Homax. amzn.to/3CnwpJk
AVO 1 Gallon (128 oz) Pure Natural Distilled White Vinegar - 5% Acidity (2 pack). amzn.to/42C3lZe
Speedball Super Black India Ink, 16-Ounce. amzn.to/3JbXbZ3

[@tobinnick]

I've used these methods a few times over the years. The Bark tea doesn't make a massive difference on red oak which already has high levels of tannins in it, but for woods which are lower in tannins it makes a huge difference - an example would be the maple from the chopping board. Another trick is to grab some plane shavings after your piece has dried and burnish the finish thoroughly, you will get a beautiful muted shine which you can highlight further with a wax finish.

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

I will have to try that

[@NeoRichardBlake]

I was actually wondering if the tea would make a more noticeable difference on something like maple or poplar.

[@BoB-Dobbs_leaning-left]

I also burnish the finish. I use a piece of steel plate, about 3" square with polised edges and rounded corners. This lays the wood fiber into the wood and leaves a nice polised surface and needs virtually no finish other than, say, a light wax.

[@lazio7495]

Awesome video! 👍

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

@@lazio7495 thanks

[@waynebooker498]

Woodworking just got more enjoyable to watch.

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

:)

[@jairocruz-rua9079]

This is one of the better videos I’ve seen on how to ebonize. If you do an in-depth video on each of the 3 processes you showed in this video, they would do well also!

[@insertanynameyouwant5311]

clicked on video and not disappointed, might as well start being fond of wood working

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Thank you for watching

[@dberry99]

Thank you for not playing music during your videos! Subscribed.

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Thanks for the sub!

[@martintheron1386]

Love your work. I subscribed.From sunny South Africa

[@Someone-fc9io]

I have used this method to stain red oak to make jewelry boxes and it works great. After the iron acetate dries (I use a heat gun) it is going to slightly raise the grain of the oak. Just lightly sand the wood with 220 or 320 grit sand paper before finishing. The stain won't sand off because it reacts with the tannins in the cell walls. Remember, lightly sand. I use spray lacquer for the finish and it leaves a beautiful sheen. Thanks again for your demo.

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Thank you for watching. I never used spray lacquer. Can you recomand a good brand? I might try it

[@woodrowsmith3400]

I had wondered if the solution would lift the grain. I guessed right. I became a big fanboy of 3M's finish scuffing pads some time back. The one I'd likely use here is #7447. In my area the easiest place to find them is at an auto body shop, which is also a wonderful place to wander looking for other finish related speciality products...go figure.

[@inspectorcal]

vinegar and steel wool has been used for centuries to dye wood its called vinegaroon, and it workes superbly well on veggie tanned leather, its a whole lot cleaner than leather dye and will not come off and stain your white clothes like some dye can. if it doesnt seem to get dark enough try soaking wood/leather in very strong cold tea to add more tannin.

[@mantaszminskis5619]

The vinegar smell lingers, and the leather, if not treated afterwards in an alkaline bath, becomes MORE acidic and disintegrates faster.. One needs to find the pH of the leathe to start, and bring it back to that point in order to stabilize it after treatment.

[@christopherstone777]

I love this channel. Absolutely amazing tips! Gotta go work my wood now, but I'll be back for sure! 😉😉👍👍

[@budm9982]

Yes, amazing tips!

[@lespaulguitarmn1]

Never knew of this process before now and took 6 years of woodowking and shop in school! Wow I can see some nice speaker cabinets, or new entertainment center project. Love the simplicity/cost and ease of use with great looks. Just may try this ebonized finish on a Tele or Strat guitar blank over the winter! Thanks for sharing this S&S please keep the lessons coming,

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Thank you so much. So glad you liked it

[@dgperforms1]

I'm going to use the Iron Acetate on my next Cigar Box Guitar Build. I'll then distress it with an actual piece of Charcoal, then seal it

[@ChrisPBacon-vf2dz]

Some of the earliest Rosewood slabs they put on Strat necks were really dark in colour compared to the anaemic stuff of today. Will this method darken up my Gibson 339 neck ?

[@zachrawlings6523]

Absolutely gorgeous. The wood final product is good-lookin as well!

[@argonaut3001]

Absolutely fantastic! Thank you so much! Also, I love the casual way you drop the "How to avoid explosions" tip at the end; hilarious (and very important!). I wish you every success with your channel xx

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

:) Thank you. I figure nobody would be watching by that point of the video. But yes, very important

[@doudeck9586]

I learned a little about ebonizing woods but it was a little difficult concentrating on the table area. Good information, thanks.

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jonathanspiliotis2289]

Really cool effect. I was surprised at just how fast the reaction happens.

[@steadmanuhlich6734]

Excellent tutorial! This is not the first I have seen on this technique, and this was the. First of your videos I have seen, but it is the best demonstration and presentation I have seen on this topic. Good pacing, good narration (clear language, easy to understand and follow). You answered all my questions and the comparison with the ink was interesting and your observations (and showing to the camera) was convincing and helpful. Subscribed to learn more. Keep up the good work.

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bobsmith3790]

That,s beautiful!!! I’m going to start playing with that this weekend. Thanks so much for sharing! Great video.

[@lfc6663]

Well they both looked fine from here. . .

[@cokdnlokd1238]

I love this information and the supplier does not hurt my eyes either.

[@bobby-c7731]

By far my favorite of your videos so far. I learned a lot about ebonizing wood. I’d never thought of doing that before. I’m curious what the bark tea alone would have done. I may have to whip some up to find out. Thank you for this video!!

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Awesome, thank you!

[@lazygardens]

Bark tea alone will be a brownish color of the tannins You need the iron acetate to get black.

[@freetorobandloot]

Thank you. This is exactly what I was looking for. I just bought all of the materials from Lowes and started my first batch.

[@mantaszminskis5619]

You're going to need some pH testing paper. Doubt yiou can get that a the lowes

[@graemebrumfitt6668]

Rite Sawdust Girl, Great vid, I have been doing this for years, mostly for my bird houses but have never heard of the tea tip or as someone mentioned in the comments coffee will be trying these for sure! Little tip if I may! When you paint, stain or use the solution brush towards the edge and not from the edge in, hope that makes sense! Stay safe n well. TFS, GB :)

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Great tip! Will do and that makes total sense. Thank you

[@patrickmccullagh881]

I have used this method to make black leather, however never thought of using it for wood.. Making some today.

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Cool. Let me know how it went

[@tuggben5510]

Your bosom knowledge is beyond this world :) thanks.

[@samina7670]

i like the iron acetate the most.. looks very natural

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Me too

[@Eeklex]

I happened upon this due to some curiosity about how ebonizing works. In the old days, maybe up to the 1960s, the term would show up in Sears (etc.) catalog ads for cheap guitars with fingerboards made of ebonized hardwood instead of ebony or rosewood. I wouldn’t have guessed the process would be so simple. I don’t know whether it’s something I want to try, but it’s good to know how. Thanks! - Paul

[@TruthAndMoreTruth]

Very interesting, I had never see this way to stain wood before. I would like to have see a depth test to see which penetrated the best. Maybe a sandpaper test or something.

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Great suggestion!

[@tony4360]

Hi just like to say keep up the good work love watching you x

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Thank you! Will do!

[@edwardpetersen4309]

I work on acoustic fretted instruments. I use india ink to "ebonize" lighter wood fretboards or to cover light streaks and spots in real ebony. Works like a charm and won't come off on your fingers when completely dry. There is shellac in real india ink as a drying agent. Enjoyed your video. Thanks.

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Awesome. Thanks for the tip

[@fliving70]

I’ve used xylene based furniture dyes to darken fretboards, but I have found they do bleed, especially when the fretboard is later conditioned (I use Feed N Wax). Given the “oily” nature of rosewood I was curious as to how well the iron acetate would penetrate it. Looking at the cutting board cherry really looks like ebony when ebonized.

[@FTHKANAME]

Nice! I will try that for sure! Nice camera angles btw 😁

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Thanks! 😁

[@COLLAR01]

Dr did a great job on the cans.

[@hubbsllc]

Hey, any thoughts on how well this finish will hold up over time, especially with exposure to light?

[@gado6438]

Nice tips!

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Glad you like them!

[@herenow2895]

@@woodworkingwithSkyler - I like them too. They're great.

[@dermo43]

Great video, thanks.

[@bradleyheathhaysable]

Your videography is fantastic!

[@moapictures]

Beautiful microphone you have! I've watched it several times.

[@smokypoo]

very nice, specially if you'd like to keep the wood grain. Can you put a sort of wax on it to make it more resistant?

[@patseevers262]

Really enjoy your videos! Keep up the good work.

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Glad you like them!

[@richardkusimenkah]

Not sure why this popped on my feed... But I watched it anyways

[@goodguy2627]

Very useful home technology and absolutely nicely presented. Thank you så much for sharing your skills.

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

My pleasure!

[@WEdHarris]

Very informative video!! Thank you so much! Well done!

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stevecam724]

I don't know what you said but I loved watching you talk and move about 💖💖

[@Chopper1095]

Would this work on a Guitar Finger board that has Indian Laurel Wood on it ? I want darken it to look something like Rose Wood..

[@TheTacoking1]

The India ink method works perfectly,and super simple. The other way is nice if you wanna take much longer to achieve the same results... eventually.

[@franklynch14]

Just learned about this process, and good to see the difference between the 3. Thanks!

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Glad it was helpful!

[@guinnesslover2970]

could park my bike in there !

[@peterschmidt9942]

Cool, might be good for staining guitar fretboards!

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Yes, that’s a great idea

[@rkgaustin9043]

Exactly why I'm here! I'm wondering if the color will come off on sweaty hands? Will it affect inlays?

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

@@rkgaustin9043 color doesn’t come off even when not sealed. But you should seal it. If no top coat is applied in time color changes to brown. Experiment first with scrap wood

[@peterschmidt9942]

@@rkgaustin9043 Apparently the vinegar/steel wool is a tried an true ancient way of staining wood. And no leaching of tannins. One thing I'd like to try for myself.

[@rkgaustin9043]

@@peterschmidt9942 I'd love to see your test results

[@OOICU812]

I am focused, strong, and pulsating.

[@danmarjenka6361]

The black ink makes a sharper line on the edge of the wood, and may be helpful depending on the project you are building.

[@chevive7]

Strong and beautiful lady, first video I see of her and loved it straight away

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Awww, thank you

[@markuschelios6891]

Came because my wood needed ebonizing and was not disappointed.

[@eCitizen1]

Great information. Thanks

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Glad it was helpful!

[@frankwilson2607]

This is so timely for my current project! I'm going to try it on a slab of oak which I just cut up to cover an Arts&Crafts-style set of drawers. Thank and subbed!

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Wonderful! Thank you

[@SnakeAndTurtleQigong]

I'm exited to give this a try, thanks!

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@thedbcooperforum]

To give a distressed look I use black tea and apply that prior to the steel wool/vinagar..

[@dgperforms1]

Thank You! I will be using the Iron Acetate on some Picture Ledges today. Will seal with Tung Oil

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Sounds great!

[@AnOldMansView]

Well I learned something new today ty, I would love to see more of your face when your talking rather than watching the microphone and your hands.

[@casaalta1]

nice tips!

[@suntzu6122]

Is there an opposite process to make wood white? This makes me curious about a black / white contrast piece.

[@tennwilcox8663]

Tank you and tice nits 😊

[@adad-nerari4117]

Very interesting method, I'll try it. Thanks.

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

you are welcome

[@allanwest9384]

I missed every thing she said,have to watch again,and again.

[@fastj1962]

Can you sand the wood after the treatment? What are the effects? Does it retain the dark color, or rub off right away?

[@flatearther7013]

Great explanations

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kensmith5694]

I could notice that the wood without the tea showed slightly red compared to the one with the tea.

[@exnuke1972]

What a great way to stain a wood. I may have to try this out on leather too.

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

You should! I think it will work great

[@Qwiv]

I have never purchased special tea to do that. Always just used cheap regular black tea. Seams to work. Would be interested to see if the special tea is actually worth it.

[@CRIS.V1891]

Thank for the information, nice to know the process ! 👍

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Any time!

[@CRIS.V1891]

@@woodworkingwithSkyler 🙂🖐️

[@oneeyedphotographer]

I don't have easy access to oak. I can easily buy jarah, karri, yarri, tuart. And pinus pinaster and pinus radiata. We also have a range of plywood, but not those most available in the northern hemisphere/ I think the tea really makes a difference in woods that lack tannin, oak has a good level of tannin. I would like to see this redone with a wider range of timbers, and please include plywood and maybe LVL.

[@nicc8230]

Hello, have you tried dry brushing a different color over this? I want to make it match my deck which is trex (black with lighter brown). Thanks

[@Cactustone]

How do you prevent the iron acetate from turning red over time? I used this formula on som Alder, which initially turned a beautiful grey, but a couple days later turn very rust-colored.

[@budm9982]

Thanks for this video. Its just what I was looking for. I'm building a soap curing rack out of red oak and the customer wants it dark. I was not sure how to get red oak to be dark but now I see. Do you think its ok to spray lacquer on as a finish?

[@sociopathmercenary]

If you want the ebonize wood that does not have the natural tannins, does the bark tea add enough tannins for this to work?

[@payres48]

Hi from Australia. I have never heard of this process before but found it very interesting. I imagine the results may differ from one wood type to another depending on the wood's natural colour. I wonder how well it would work on white pine as it doesn't take conventional wood stain very well.

[@Lou.B]

Very interesting and helpful! Thank You!

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Glad it was helpful!

[@grkuntzmd]

I assume that is red oak̀. I really like how the plain iron acetate looks on it. Thanks for a helpful video.

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Thank YOU

[@rosswitte]

How long does it take the ink to dry? It might be the most messy, but I thought it looked the best.

[@mack8488]

Nice bunch of wood👌

[@harrypehkonen]

I have used coffee to stain wood in the past. I wonder if the tannins from coffee can make a difference. I'll give that a try soon. I really appreciate this technique! I usually torch my wood to give it a nice dark colour. It has never been optimal for me. This may be better.

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Give it a try and let me know how it goes

[@MaxStArlyn]

Can you mix the vinegar ebonizing mixer with Tung oil and apply it?

[@Riddlemewalker]

Cool technique. Thanks

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Glad you liked it!

[@hawkeyeshawkeyes7468]

Nice work I've been working with that for while now.Try using a heat gun with one coat comes out nice.Old school gun stocks were done that way.

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

will try that

[@weshard1]

Eezer Goode, Eezer Goode! She’s ebonizing wood!

[@FeatherHorseforge]

I believe if you heat the steel wool solution it will go a different colour, I think it’s called aqua regia

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Interesting. I will try that

[@FeatherHorseforge]

Apply it to the wood then heat with a heat gun. @woodland escape has a video on it

[@calumalum8927]

Can you put danish oil on top of the iron acetate mix??

[@wollins2]

This is great. Bit confused though. Is this like if you want to save money? (as opposed to buying a stain?)

[@rogeredwards3563]

I'm a little late to the discussion here, but does the iron acetate leave a lingering vinegar odor? If so, for how long? I'm considering doing this on a bar I'm building and don't want the bar to smell like I'm dying Easter eggs. :-)

[@davidp6007]

Yo! Sawdust that is a very interesting method which I did not know and it seems to produce great results....it will definitely give it a go to replaced black stain. Thank you! Having said that a different top would have made it easier to follow....they are gorgeous honey but....we were talking about stained timber... Thanks for the tip and keep it up!

[@shenvalley_8-nuckler481]

Shhhhhhhh. I enjoyed it and want to see more videos like this.

[@johnniek8845]

When you ebonize the wood, is it permanent ? does it rub off at all ? thanks.

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

It’s permanent

[@johnniek8845]

@@woodworkingwithSkyler Thank you.

[@davidsimpson3380]

It's permanent but can be removed with an oxalic acid/water mixture.

[@MrFixiit]

you are fantastic thanks for the tips.

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Thanks for watching!

[@craigspencer2927]

Very helpful thanks

[@guitfidle]

Great video, thanks for sharing!!

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Thanks for watching!

[@maziamini9604]

I made my gun stock black unintentionally, I used steel wool and vinegar and rubbing alcohol to remove the old finish but it turned black, how can I get rid of black stain? Thanks

[@inspectorcal]

you will have to sand it back to bare wood depending on how deep the vinegaroon soaked into your stock, sometimes it soaks in as deep as 3mm or more.

[@spekenbonen72]

What is the difference between adding a dye and the process of Lye-ing..? Using a Dye adds a substance with collour. Using a Lye changes the chemical composition of the wood. 2 totally different processes. Lye is done with alkaline (a salt, on the pH scale) Using an acid (vinegar) is quite the opposite... What you do in this video is adding an oxidized dye. So actually, you are just painting the wood. FWIW if you Lye oak, it turns grey, not black. This process is used to make wood look antique.

[@ehrichweiss]

I wonder if you could use other things that have tannins, like bay leaves or the like, to make the "tea".

[@josephperez7995]

Great show .. love it.. thank you

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@technoautomated]

Hey thanks for the great tips. I was wondering if you can glue the blackened faces (not ink) together with wood glue? Thanks

[@rawbacon]

My neighbors help me cut up a tree that fell. I'm going to make each of them a mallet for helping out of some of the wood and I want to use this technique on them. I have the mix made up and I'm just waiting for the wood to dry a little more before making them.

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

That is awesome!

[@imhogar]

i put wool into vinegar and 4 days left . vinegar still clear.. nor turn to broun rust

[@jigsey.]

Another great videos, i must try this. Im guessing its no good for pine

[@woodworkingwithSkyler]

You are correct. No pine

[@inspectorcal]

try soaking your pine in very strong cold tea, let it dry, lightly sand it coz it will raise the grain, you will have added tannin to the wood and it is the tannin that reacts with the vinegaroon, pine has hardly any tannins in it.

[@usernotfound904]

Great rack!

[@dang6832]

Very informative, but I kind of felt bad watching. I actually enjoyed the content.