Ebonizing Tasi. Blackwood.

This should answer both of your questions.

First, of all it takes some time for the acid to react to the steel and then to produce the "ebony acid stain."
(vinegar, is also used as a mordant)

The steel and nails may create rust and residue from the items, that is why you should always stir it well, test for color, and then strain and save it.

Each batch you make must always be tested.

Mac S

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Originally Posted by watson

Now I'm not a chemist, but the way I've got it that its the reaction of the mordant with the dyeing substance is what produced the insoluble substance that gives the colour.
I've been playing with common old copper sulphate as a dye with several mordants and as a mordant with other dyes, but all I've ended up with is several shades of brown. I suppose the normal metal type dyeing methods are a bit strong for wood. Fascinating stuff....there's probably a book in using household/garden products to dye wood.

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Copper sulphate and iron sulphate (and cobalt sulphate etc.) are also used in ceramics as brush on colourants. In this form they are soluable so are a bit toxic as can be absorbed through the skin. (Iron maybe OKish but don't want tooo much. Other ones BAD.) On wood I would guess the the tannins would "lock" the black into the wood somehow and also no longer soluable perhaps. Other metal salts (technical name.:D) would not do that so prolly not really work on wood. In ceramics the decorated pieses are fired in kiln of course so are fixed into the clay. (Although the copper sulphate has to be fired in reduction because in oxidation firing it eats away the clay. Don't ask me why.)

Was wondering if perhaps the natural dyes used to dye wool would also dye wood? You know. Onion skins, tree bark and all that? Could be interesting. Never take the easy route, that's my motto. (Prolly will just get some of that water soluable dye from u-beaut.:D)

Many of those chemicals are used for "patinations" on various metals to create designs and patterns.

If you want to see the vinegar stain do it thing, wipe it on a piece of oak, there are other woods it also works on, those woods all contains lots of tannin.

Mac S

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Originally Posted by tea lady

I was using it for one of my teapot handles. On such a small item the Blackwood looked a little boring. Also just fascinated with chemical processes. Here is photo of teapot with handle. This one has sassafras handle but have also done other woods. Also want to try stained blue ones and other weird colours.:D

Thanks Watson. So it just looks clear.Mysterious!:Spookysmiley: My vinegar bath is going dark now, but I think it might be because th tannin from the wood is coming out. Looks like a cup of tea now.:rolleyes:

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very nice celadon there tealady - i spent 25 years as a pro potter and have a good understanding of what you have achieved with that tasty looking set - very nice looking work

apols for the mini hijack

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Originally Posted by old_picker

very nice celadon there tealady - i spent 25 years as a pro potter and have a good understanding of what you have achieved with that tasty looking set - very nice looking work

apols for the mini hijack

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Actually copper green fired in oxidation. Thanks for nice comments.:B