Desk Organizer

[steve_g]

I never posted a picture of the completed project... Here it is! I sprayed it with a flat black cheap rattle can paint and top coated that with a water base urethane. The look I was after was to be able to see the distinctive Oak grain, even though it’s black, it’s definitely Oak!
SG

[scottp55]

What!! You didn't get the ammonia and a dry cleaner bag out and wait for a sunny day and FUME it in your driveway?
Looks great Steve!

[myxpykalix]

black? black? you should be flogged for desecrating wood in that way! nice job buddy

[Joe Porter]

Looks great as usual...I imagine some of these will start turning up as Christmas presents all over the country...joe

[steve_g]

Scott...
I definitely considered fuming the oak... Near as I could tell from my research, the ammonia I can get at the grocery store isn’t strong enough.
Anyone have success doing this?
SG

[scottp55]

Well Steve, This May(doubt it) teach me to keep my mouth shut
You'd think I had some Oak heartwood scraps around-Not. Just using Parson's household ammonia which will probably take forever.
Gustav Stickley wrote quite a bit about fuming in his "notes on finishing" which was reprinted and has his original finishes as well as 1992 version with modern alternatives(I would have no clue as to where to find"German Lacquer(clear lacquer),commonly known as "banana liquid",and adding a very little Lampblack, also ground in Japan.").
Pages 84-87 deal with Fuming, and alternatives and finishing in this book.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Furniture-.../dp/094193635X


Should have cleaned my oven before I took pic

[scottp55]

forgot the cutesy pic!
Thanks a lot.

[scottp55]

Duh. "shallow dish containing liquor ammonia (26%)" "if the piece is too large" "a satisfactory result can be obtained by applying liquor ammonia (26%) direct to the wood........."

[scottp55]

Steve, results from that highly scientific Parson's Household Ammonia test(kinda forgot it was still in the oven. Control on left obviously. So 9 days does a tiny bit, but oak was 1987 dunnage from a steel building(I used to take all the oak and hard maple from the jobsite or the other guys took it for their woodstoves) and was loaded in Mississippi so not sure what Oak it is or tannin content.
Funny that household ammonia in 3 places I looked NEVER gives percentage? Asked pharmacist at Rite-Aid where I might find 26% and although Chris is great at oddball questions from me, he didn't have a clue.
I will try direct application after I cut and sand a new piece.
Just thought I'd save you the trouble-probably take a month,if at all to turn black. No New Oak to test, but wondering if Tannic acid degrades very much over time.

[steve_g]

26% Ammonia is available from Blue Print supply houses... Ha! Now try to find one of those!
SG