I heard from a seasoned woodworker that soaking steel wool in white vinegar can be used to darken oak wood. After leaving the steel wool in the vinegar for a couple of days, I gave it a try and the results were stunning, with the oak turning almost black! It seems the vinegar and rust react with the wood's tannins, which is fascinating. My question is: do I need to neutralize the vinegar's acid before applying a finish like varnish or oil, or can I just let it dry? I've done some tests, but I'm looking for anyone with real-life experiences. Thanks for any insights!
3 Answers
You don’t need to neutralize the vinegar after using it. Just let the oak dry completely, and then you can go ahead and apply your finish without any issues!
Absolutely, I’ve used this vinegar method to stain oak as well. I always let it dry well, and I typically use oil-based finishes. Didn’t find the need to do anything extra apart from the drying part!
This technique is quite classic! It's often referred to as 'vinegaroon.' It’s great for not only oak but various materials. Just a tip: with cloth or leather, you might want to pre-dye with blue for richer results. Nice to see this tradition still in use!