Stain darkened over time

[A.Merrill]

    Some of you may remember the Landcaster barn gun I built and sold on this site about 2 1/2 years ago. I talked to the fellow today that bought that rifle and he told me the gun had darkened considerably. I used .AF stain and neutralized with a heavy coat of baking soda like always. What happen??   AL

[Pete G.]

In my somewhat limited experience of 3 guns stained with AF; that is what it does.

What finish did you use? I am thinking that AF will darken some oil finishes more than others.

[Ed Wenger]

Al, do you remember the type of AF you used?  If it was the commercially available kind, I've found it's much more acidic than needed, or desired, and has a tendency to darken over time despite what you might do to neutralize.  If it was "home brewed", I'd suspect the same thing.

AF doesn't need to be highly acidic to work.  A mix of one part nitric acid to six, or seven parts water, works well.  Common household ammonia works well to neutralize.

Not sure if that was the problem here, but it's the first place I'd suspect.


       Ed

[A.Merrill]

      Pete, I used the same thing I have used for years. Wahkon Bay thru-coat.

     Ed, you just may be right. I used Wahkon Bay aquafortis. You think I could add some steel wool to it to help deplete the acid in it??       AL

[Ed Wenger]

AL, I'd dilute it with distilled water, that would cut the strength.  Add a small amount at a time and try it on a scrap piece of maple, you should see a color difference. 


     Ed

[tallbear]

Al

I have had success decreasing the acidity of Whakon bay completeing the reaction by adding iron.I would not use steel wool as it makes the solution muddy.I would use larger chunks of iron.

Mitch

[A.Merrill]

    Thanks guys. I think I'll do both, with iron first,then water, I'll have more stain then.