when to neutralize

[yip]

   made my first aqua fortis stain today it came out good, my question is do i neutralize or not and when if so

[Dennis Glazener]

I have never neutralized aqua fortis when used on wood, never felt a need to.

I do often neutralize when browning a barrel with similiar chemicals.
Dennis

[Ed Wenger]

It kind of depends on the acidic strength of the AF as to if you neutralize or not, and personal preference.  If the iron used to make the AF is no longer reacting, it most likely doesn't need to be neutralized.  Having said that, I personally neutralize even weak solutions, just my preference.

Typically, you neutralize after the stock has been blushed with heat.  Either household ammonia, or a baking soda solution (baking soda + water) is a good choice.



           Ed

[SingleMalt]

I use a very weak solution of lye, about a teaspoon to two gallons of water.

[Eric Krewson]

I bought some Keibler Iron Nitrate stain and though I needed to neutralize it, turns out I didn't after the fact. I flooded my stock with water and ammonia, again thinking I needed to. After I dried the stock and started reassembly nothing would fit, everything had swelled, my perfect inlets were a mess.

My suggestion would be not to neutralize unless you are sure you need to.

[yip]

 i guess  the solution has weakened,i used iron particles and some of the particles were not all resolved so i guess its weakened, right?.....yip







 

[Mark Elliott]

I used to wash the stock down in cold water and baking soda.   I don't do that anymore.   I just wipe the stock down with ammonia.    It probably isn't necessary, but I feel better and the ammonia doesn't raise the grain much.   I do it right after I am happy with the color.   

[Ed Wenger]

Yep, what Mark said......




               Ed

[yip]

 i already  applied my finish after i found iron particulars in my stain,hope i didn't screw up..............yip