After AF

[bdixon]

I am sure this has been covered somewhere here??  After applying and heating my AF, my stock is somewhat green/brown colored.  How much of that discoloration do you take off with fine sanding, polishing?  Some, all, none?


Brett.

[Eric Laird]

Brett,
In my experience, any greenish cast after using AF is a result of the an incomplete reaction to the heat. I don't know what you're using as a heat source, but the answer is usually more heat or applying the heat for a longer period to drive the AF through the required change (the chemists here can better explain the mechanics of the required change). Naturally, a major consideration is to make sure that the wood is not charred in the vulnerable areas. Again, in my experience, I usually get that greenish cast in the more protected areas like the bottom of grooves - beside moldings, carvings, etc - and then I usually apply adequate heat for longer to get those area to kick over.
Eric

[bdixon]

I suspected that, but am too cautious with my heat gun I guess. 

[smallpatch]

What Eric said!!

[Dphariss]

I suspected that, but am too cautious with my heat gun I guess. 

Wood needs to be heated  to something around 160 IIRC. Too hot the touch.
In the past I have had good luck in winter putting the stock in the corner behind the wood stove in the house and turning every few minutes.
Failure to use sufficient heat that penetrates the wood well even if it colors well can cause problems down the road so while you need to be careful, especially around fine carving, heat that penetrates the wood as far as the stain does is very important.

Dan

[Eric Krewson]

Here is a before and after picture. Heated on the right, unheated on the left, done with a heat gun(keep it moving).

[James Rogers]

Slather on some linseed oil and heat again.

[Dennis Glazener]

Slather on some linseed oil and heat again.

James,
I have heard this before but have never tried it. What does the linseed oil do, make it darker or ? Might try it later but would like to know what to expect.
Dennis

[James Rogers]

Slather on some linseed oil and heat again.

James,
I have heard this before but have never tried it. What does the linseed oil do, make it darker or ? Might try it later but would like to know what to expect.
Dennis

Dennis,

It allows you to blend in areas that did not take well at first and keeps from scorching while you do it.

That's that way Jim taught me and it works well for me.

[Dennis Glazener]

keeps from scorching while you do it.

That is enough to cause me to try it.
Thanks
Dennis

[bdixon]

I always thought the brown shade indicated it was scorching, that is probably why I didnt heat enough.

[Eric Krewson]

Hold your heat gun about 6" from you stock and keep it moving back and forth. The wood will visibly blush to the brown color without getting very hot.