Iron nitrate stain

[Rick Rhodes]

I read about using ferris chloride to make stain ,I used 3 tablespoons to 8 ozs. Of rubbing alcohol  added some finish nails. Three weeks later all I  get is a dark greyish-black after I heat. Any thoughts on a fix would be appreciated

[T*O*F]

Wrong stuff.  You want ferric nitrate.

[Ky-Flinter]

What TOF said.... and don't add nails, just mix and use, no waiting.  As for the mixing ratio, you can start with less water or alcohol for darker stain and add more liquid to lighten it up as you like.

Ron

[Rick Rhodes]

Thank you, good to know

[Bill Madden]

You can buy ferric nitrate crystals online. All you need to do is add water or alcohol. If making ferric nitrate from scratch, you will need to add one part nitric acid to three parts water (always add the acid to the water to avoid splash back) in a pyrex container. Then add iron. I prefer pieces of old rusty barbed wire harvested from abandoned homesteads. The concoction will heat up rapidly, hence the pyrex container. Add more iron as necessary until the acid has consumed most of it and foaming has quit. Decant and store in a bottle with a loose stopper for a couple of days before sealing tightly.
Bill

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

The action of ferric nitrate solution is enhanced on curly maple if you apply a tannic acid solution to the wood first.  The ferric nitrate will react with the tannic acid in the wood and turn it black.   Judicious sanding and burnishing will cut back the black to expose the lighter coloured wood and leave the black in the curl.

[Rick Rhodes]

Thanks for the feedback,I used tannic acid on my last 2 gun builds very pleased with the results