Best Vinegar and Steel Wool Combo?

White vinegar? Apple vinegar? Which one stains or ages wood the best? Will it stain pine? Watch and see the results of my test.
#patina #vinegar #aging

[@Charley-rz3hl]

When making iron acetate like this, you dont want to keep the jar closed, the lid needs to be loose to let gases escape. Also after the waiting period, if you give the jar a few good shakes, it'll help incorporate the iron oxide into the vinegar. Lastly, to really help with the pine, or any other wood with a low tannin count, you can brush on some strong black tea before the iron acetate, it'll increase the tannin count and make it darker

[@truthhurts167]

Great video! I have watched many of the samples you had in beginning. Something about yours I really liked! More down to earth how I like to imagine I would do. Thanks!

[@richardwatson5437]

Thanks for doing this experiment for our benefit! 👍

[@SelfMadeProject]

Thanks! But, I really did this for my benefit and just brought you guys along, lol. :)

[@matthewdufty606]

Great video! Thanks for the test. Really useful 👌

[@MikeM-of2if]

did you hear about the tea trick? I am no expert, but If you soak a few tea bags in a jar.....maybe overnight. Pretreat the wood with that. It will add tannins to the wood and make the reaction stronger. That is what I have found .. Thank you for the video. Best of luck.

[@sunpointstudio4472]

In addition to the tea, adding some oak bark together with the tea bags is even better.

[@bencox8716]

I used tea and it helped a lot

[@taleandclawrock2606]

Wow! Fantastic charcoal color on walnut and oak!!!

[@taleandclawrock2606]

I love how it showed up the grain on the pine.

[@SelfMadeProject]

Update, the apple cider did dissolve the steel wool after several more days.

[@evelynvictorymatheny9047]

i had wondered the same (about using apple cider). thanks so very much and have a great day

[@omaromar-lg3yu]

I was thinking about using the red vineger and here we are ,,,,thankx man.

[@waynewalker5853]

making some as we speak .... thanks for the experiment...

[@marijageorgievski7106]

Love your channel. I like the white vinegar on the pine the best. I am currently trying to use up the materials I have myself for projects. Thank you for all the ideas.

[@SelfMadeProject]

Me too, pine is what I'm going to use. It is rough sawn, so maybe that helps it soak up the mix. Thanks.

[@viqubus]

Thanks you so much for making the comparison. I’m highly allergic to corn 🌽 and was hoping apple cider vinegar 🍎 would work as I’m wanting to stain a butcher block countertops. This is so helpful and I really appreciate you taking the time to looking into it and sharing!

[@SelfMadeProject]

Thanks. It should work for you if it's a hardwood. Guess you could do a little test of your own on the material before you start, good luck!

[@maodonimega]

This video has been very helpful..thanks! Probably too late...but you can darken the pine considerably by brushing with a solution of tea first. The iron in the vinegar solution reacts with the tannins in the wood to produce the dark stain. Pine has less tannin than the other woods, so the addition of the tannins in the tea helps. Having said that, I like the end result of the pine stain as is. Just about to use this method to stain the new T&G pine floor I just laid in my cabin. Going for that aged look, so will randomly ding and generally distress the wood first to make it look even more aged.

[@davidmariopratt]

Nice work sir. ❤

[@woodsmansfinest3814]

Beat video on the matter out there!

[@mattbowie9479]

Good video. Glad you did this gives me some insight an ideas for future projects thank you kindly sir for doing this video. Earned yourself a new sub look forward to watching more of your content.

[@SelfMadeProject]

Thanks Matt!

[@RumbleFish69]

Great video! I loved watching the results, but I also enjoyed how this seemed to be an adventure for you. You went in as blind as the viewer with no idea how these would turn out. It was pretty cool watching all that unfold. Great stuff!

[@SelfMadeProject]

Thanks!

[@RumbleFish69]

@@SelfMadeProject Thank you!

[@justme-xc1ri]

If you paint the wood with regular tea first and let dry, the tannins will make pine very dark brown once u paint the steel wool mix on..it’s gorgeous

[@hobiecat901]

A Good Video, Thanks Self.

[@SelfMadeProject]

Thank you!

[@roflstomps324]

I've used this on some different types of woods. Red cedar is by far the most stunning. All the resins and tannins in that cedar just go crazy with that reaction. The end result is a steel blue with shiny metallic coloring in areas of high resin.

[@donaldp9259]

A video on Savvy Builds shows him using black tea brushed on the pine first, to add tannins to the wood, then brushing on the vinegar stain. The chemical reaction happens immediately.

[@Hiperf]

I am only 2:36 minutes in and still watching but had to say I love your curiosity.

[@paintbox48]

Interesting to hear a second coat will darken further!

[@crazyuncleduke8012]

Thanks! I was considering experimenting with apple cider vs white but this video clearly showed me to stick with white vinegar. :-)

[@SelfMadeProject]

Yeah, it'll work, but not worth it really. I'm about to use this on my big project, got over 2 gals mixed up and ready. Thanks for checking it out.

[@dougaungst6163]

I've found that if you put two heavy coats on pine, let it dry, then sand to desired look. Also, I heated my mixture outside on a camp stove in a water bath to speed up the process of dissolving the steel wool. Thanks for the video. I was also wondering why not apple cider vinegar.

[@SelfMadeProject]

Good tip. I've been putting 2 coats on my pine and it looks great to me. I'm leaving mine rough sawn too, that might make a difference.

[@chrisunderhill8853]

I am willing to bet your wall has been done for a few years now, but you can use black Tea first on the pine and it will open the tannins up even more and allow the vinegar to really penetrate.

[@marytramp5678]

also the longer you let the vinegar and steel wool mixture sit the more coloring/aging you will attain.

[@cavu4me]

I have seen a very strong brewed tea brushed onto pine. Let dry and then come back with the vinegar solution. The tea will add tannin to the wood, and it will darken up a bit better for you. Enjoyed the tests.

[@SelfMadeProject]

I saw that too and was prepared to try that next. But, this rough sawn pine seems to be working pretty good, especially if you put a second application on. I think I'm ok with it.

[@SelfMadeProject]

@@noeltravis7731 safe from what? Vinegar is a very mild acid, people even drink a tablespoon of it for heath reasons. We dye easter eggs in it and use it to sterilize coffee pots. Seems safe to me.

[@roflstomps324]

I've done both and honestly. It doesn't make a lick of difference. I've brewed a box of black tea (72 bags) in a gallon mason jar and applied it. It looks just about the same as the non-tea version.

[@rhihodag9873]

You can also purchase (on eBay) 'tanic acid' powder. Dilute it in water and pre-treat the wood prior to using the steel wool-vinegar solution. Marked difference in the final results.

[@SelfMadeProject]

Cool, thanks for that info. Hadn't heard of that, but makes sense.

[@geneclifford8662]

Hey there Anthony. Great little video. I'm with you , the white vinegar does make the wood a little darker for sure. Use anything except that bottle of Jim Bean thats on the shelf behind you.. ha ha.

[@SelfMadeProject]

Ha! Might get expensive if you used that distilled corn!

[@andisandhofer8481]

If you want to get your soup in one in a houre ore two, you have to force the start of the oxi in the steel wool, because the vinegar react with oxidized metal. take a pice of wool, a fireresistent bowl an a 9v accu! Just enjoy you little firework and your vinegar have instant the type of Ferrum he need. It works instant, smoot and the soup is often darker

[@memagranola]

Very informative. Thanks

[@SelfMadeProject]

Thanks!

[@gregwallin207]

It works best on rough sawn wood.

[@nobackhands]

I called White House Vinegar: Basically, they are the same. Yellow vinegar is brown because of the micro bits of apple that have not been filtered out. White vinegar is better filtered

[@ranger9416]

I really enjoyed this video. FYI...Jim Beam’s Distillery is just down I-65 from me!

[@SelfMadeProject]

Cool! It seems like I heard there was a big fire there recently?

[@johnmitchell1614]

Hi Self Made. Isn't it weird that the white vinegar dissolved the wire wool, but the apple cider didn't. Good video. Best regards.

[@jayrist3913]

In the video the white vinegar side of the pine looks more grey and the apple side looks more yellow?

[@soledude]

👍👍👍

[@DannyStroup]

Maybe you've figured this out by now, but you're not supposed to put the tops on the mason jars. The reaction takes place when oxygen mixes for 3 days with the vinegar and steel wool. By placing the tops on, you stopped the process from happening by starving the oxygen.

[@SelfMadeProject]

Tops were just sitting loose while brewing for first couple days. Then I left tops off 2 or 3 days, the reaction seemed about the same to me. Maybe it was just too cold. I'm going to mix up 2 gallons next and its warmer now.

[@roflstomps324]

@@SelfMadeProject Meh, I boiled my vinegar and left the caps off the whole time. Your results are near exactly what mine were. I don't think it is an exact science as some would think.

[@watermain48]

I don't know if it will make a difference, but cleaning grade white vinegar has a much higher percentage of acidity than the cooking kind.

[@hermananilda3835]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@florenceor.9002]

Hello ! I watch with interest this video, wondering if this is a good way to make the wood change color to an even gray in order keep it stable afterwards ? I would not like the wood to become too dak, like on some old house... Is that possible ?

[@SelfMadeProject]

I really don't know, maybe someone else will comment. All I can think of is change the ratio of the mix, maybe put less steel in there.

[@methical__]

Haha, love the zoom on the bottle... however would liked to see a second coat.

[@SelfMadeProject]

I did 2nd coat after I made this video. It did darken a little more. I wish KZbin would let us post pics in the comments.

[@temsbab1565]

Wu tang clan aint nutin to fuck with

[@evaderknives]

Perfect timing... waiting for the oven to get up to heat... doing the Real knifemakers Knife... I like your pattern.... I thought this was for etching, haha I know ferric is basically just muriatic with steel wool and hydrogen peroxide

[@SelfMadeProject]

I might try using this to darken knife scales one of these days. I can't wait til the build off is over to see what everyone comes up with. Good luck.

[@evaderknives]

@@SelfMadeProject Yeah should be interesting... Are you in this one too? if so wishing you luck too

[@SelfMadeProject]

@@evaderknives no, sat this one out. Trying to help John a little behind the scenes.

[@evaderknives]

@@SelfMadeProject Haha, alright that betters my odds... just kidding

[@crosisofborg5524]

I tried this and let the steel wool steep in the vinegar for 32 hours and it barely tinted red oak.

[@edaaa926]

Would it be safe to use for stainin rifle stock, will rifle rust or something when i assemble it?

[@SelfMadeProject]

Can't say for sure, but I think it would be ok. You could rinse the wood off with some TSP or baking soda and water to be sure to kill any remaining acid if you were concerned about it. Good question, something to think about.

[@MAD_DOG-MUDHOUND]

For making this solution leave the lids off, after 3-5 days dilute 1:1 with water

[@robertcornelius3514]

I would leave the lids on but only have a loose fit.

[@brandiisbell7746]

How do you think I can get the grayest color on treated pine

[@SelfMadeProject]

A few people have suggested wetting down the wood with tea first, let it dry, then use vinegar. I haven't tried that myself. I did get a darker color by applying a second coat of vinegar after the first dried. Pine just doesn't have the same reaction as hardwoods, so there's limit to how dark it will get. In the end, I was happy with my pine using the two coats.

[@craignash4736]

Hey. How important is the wool in this project ? Thanks good video. Craig. Pa. Guy

[@SelfMadeProject]

Well, from what I've read, vinegar is acetic acid and when iron is dissolved in it you get iron acetate. That iron acetate then reacts with the tannins in the wood. Vinegar by itself won't work, and I think about any source of iron will probably work. The steel wool just has tons of surface area, so the reaction occurs faster.

[@pennylynns]

Self Made Project FINE steel wool is best ie 0000 should say on bag/bag. I got mine at Walmart. First rinse steel wool because of factory oil and squeeze excess wAter. Also, SNIP steel into tiny pieces for faster deterioration.

[@timmoteus]

Have you checked out what's down those wormholes?

[@maziamini9604]

I unintentionally made my gun stock black, is there any way to remove this stain that resulted from vinegar and steel wool ? Thanks

[@luisapaza317]

Maybe not

[@maziamini9604]

@@luisapaza317 I used bar keepers friend and went back.

[@georgek1274]

Something I have not seen addressed, what is the odor like, if anything after it dries? I don’t think I want a house smelling like vinegar!

[@jasonbrockman562]

No smell afterwards

[@jds3545]

What happened to the mini mill cnc conversion?

[@SelfMadeProject]

It's still on the back burner. I just haven't had time to get back on it. I'm still working on finishing my shop mainly. But, I also make knives, do shirt printing, sawmilling, etc. which all makes money. Sometimes it's hard to take time away from those for tinkering.

[@jds3545]

@@SelfMadeProject I hear ya, i know how that goes. I just stumbled across the videos and got sucked into watching them. Good job with all that you do!

[@SelfMadeProject]

@@jds3545 one of these days I'll get caught up and finish it up. Hang in there.

[@ColeAviation]

Hello sir! I just came across your video here and saw where you had my red neck video there at the beginning where I did my water mill at my Koi Pond. 🤣🤙🏼 Cool! If you let it set for exactly two weeks one coat SHOULD work the first time. Thanks for throwing that out there. 🤣👊🏼

[@SelfMadeProject]

Thanks! Your video was one of the ones I watched while trying to decide which vinegar to use. Good video by the way! Hope you don't mind me using that clip.

[@ColeAviation]

@@SelfMadeProject Absolutely brother. Don’t mind at all. Thanks!

[@adelesamuelson9757]

​@@SelfMadeProject k

[@donepearce]

The big question for me is this: How long does it take for the smell to go away? That's kind of important if you are going to use this in the house.

[@SelfMadeProject]

The white vinegar boards never really smelled much to me. The apple was noticeable when applying it, but I once dry I didn't notice it anymore. Of course, that's in my shop too, not the house, lol.

[@wolf-ls7jx]

I'm doing a ceiling this way and once it dries you don't smell it. I used tea on them first to add tannins to the pine. After the vinegar it stains to a dark reddish brown. Try adding tea afterwards and it looks like old barn wood. I waxed it afterwards to add some shine to it so it wouldn't smell anyways.

[@randy9573]

Does the mixture have to be in glass containers or could I use a plastic pale. I need to do a fresh pine barn board door. 7’ X 7’.

[@SelfMadeProject]

Shouldn't matter, it might smell up the room with that vinegar smell, lol. Just don't put in a sealed container, there is a little gas that builds up in there. Not much, but be on the safe side.

[@jayrist3913]

In the video the white vinegar side of the pine looks more grey and the apple side looks more yellow?

[@SelfMadeProject]

Maybe. I think the apple just left more of the natural yellow of the pine show through. Just not as much of a reaction I think.