We're fuming
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@mik said in We're fuming:
I guess I'm not up on all that newfangled old stuff.
Think Stickley. Think Arts and Crafts furniture. Think Mission Oak.
Link to video
In the video, the amonia is a 28% concentration. I'm using only a 10% concentration, so mine will take more time. To compensate for the lower %, I have more surface area of the ammonia to increase the evaporation speed. I did this by using multiple glass trays to hold the ammonia.
I started it late yesterday afternoon, so it's almost time to go down to the basement to see how it's doing. It won't be done yet, and I expect it will take at least another day, maybe two or three more.
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Always remember, Operation Valkyrie was an act of sedition.
Warning: I post things that interest me. Read and comment at your own discretion. -
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Refinishing has been a large part of what I do for many years, but I've never had the opportunity to try this technique for coloring the wood. Logistically, there's so many separate parts to a piano, (not to mention what if we're keeping the original board) the technique would probably seldom be appropriate. Still very interested in seeing how this piece with multiple types of wood comes out. @brenda Did you do any pre-treating of certain woods to try an help even the coloring process?
@Jolly The hand-rubbed process generally refers to how you're handling the clear coats. This process is just a different way to color the wood. (in other words...instead of staining/do this) I would imagine while the color process certainly takes more time overall---it isn't two or three days of labor. More of a setup, then wait for the chemicals to do their work.
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@jolly said in We're fuming:
Too much sugar for a dime.
Couldn't you get the same look with a hand-rubbed finish in less time?
Not really. This is a different kind of look. I can tell a piece that has been stained, etc. versus the fumed. That's the reason it still gets used.
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@jodi said in We're fuming:
I had never heard of this. Hope you are taking photos to share!
You betcha! I wanted to track the results, so pics were taken before starting the process.
It's going to stay in the tent for at least another day, maybe more. We check it a couple times per day to see how it's doing.
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@copper said in We're fuming:
That's a nice finish on the wood.
It would probably put a nice dark finish on your lungs too.
Yes, a respirator type mask should be worn, and gloves. We're not using the strong stuff, only a 10% solution, but even so, it's good to be safe. I don't know how the pros can stand to work with the 26% or 28% concentrations. Those must be quite strong.
Our tenting is good, meaning well sealed, and the basement is very large with 12-foot ceilings. It's a 1900-era house with thick stone walls for a foundation, and basement windows that aren't 100% sealed. That keeps the smell to zero for the rest of the house. Even when standing right next to the tent, there is no odor. Somebody did a really good job sealing the tent.
Again, we are using only a 10% solution, so it's not even close to the professional strength stuff, and that's alright by me. -
@rich said in We're fuming:
Refinishing has been a large part of what I do for many years, but I've never had the opportunity to try this technique for coloring the wood. Logistically, there's so many separate parts to a piano, (not to mention what if we're keeping the original board) the technique would probably seldom be appropriate. Still very interested in seeing how this piece with multiple types of wood comes out. @brenda Did you do any pre-treating of certain woods to try an help even the coloring process?
@Jolly The hand-rubbed process generally refers to how you're handling the clear coats. This process is just a different way to color the wood. (in other words...instead of staining/do this) I would imagine while the color process certainly takes more time overall---it isn't two or three days of labor. More of a setup, then wait for the chemicals to do their work.
Rich, I did not pre-treat any of the wood, even though there may be differences in the types. For example, the arms of the chair seem to be a different type of wood compared to the rockers and spindles. The arms have not colored as quickly as the rest of the chair. Hubby and I think that might be intentional, and that the arms are meant to have a lighter color to make for some contrast. Although today, hubby says the arms appear to be taking on more color. I'll check it again this afternoon to see how that part looks.
Jolly, Rich is correct that this is a replacement for the staining process, and that it's a single set-up step followed by waiting for the ammonia to do the job. When it reaches a coloration we like, the last step will be a danish oil finish.
