Ferric Nitrate solution

[smallpatch]

Does anyone remember the ratio of Ferric Nitrate to water for using as Aquafortis for wood stain??

Got the question on another topic, and don't remember the mixture.

[Robert Wolfe]

Also, do you have to neutralize this as you normally would Aqua Fortis?

[Chuck Burrows]

Does anyone remember the ratio of Ferric Nitrate to water for using as Aquafortis for wood stain??

See my previous post in the other topic: I'm sure it is 3 to 1 water (distilled is best) to the Crystals - check the bottle to make sure.......

Also, do you have to neutralize this as you normally would Aqua Fortis?

Yes - use it exaclty the same way.......heat followed by neutralizing
Nitric acid and iron = Ferric Nitrate. Wahkon Bay AF is a mix of Ferric Nitrate and Ferric Chloride (hydrochloric aka muriatic acid and iron = Ferric Chloride)

[Bill of the 45th]

The water is just the carrier to get the Ferric nitrate into the wood. As Chuck said use distilled water.  I make my solution 5 or 6 to1 as I can always reapply.  I do this because every piece of wood reacts differently.  I can always darken it by reapplying, but it's hard to lighten a piece.  I have reapplied as many as three times.  You really need some scrap, or a hidden place to find out what the A/F does to that particular piece of wood..  Just because it's a piece of Maple doesn't mean it will stain the same.

Bill

[Larry Luck]

I've used 5:1 by volume.  One 3oz Dixie cup of crystals and five 3oz cupfuls of water.  Makes a lot.  More than enough for a couple rifles, staining a bunch of powder horns, and spilling some.

Larry Luck