Brent and all members of IAP I been using my own dye who as been giving to me by and old QLD woodturner.
<center>Ebonizing Rust Stain</center>
A few household ingredients will create a potent chemical stain that will profoundly change the wood with a high tannin content, especially Oak and Walnut.
Ingredients :
Apple cider vinegar
1 steel wool pad
3 table spoons of salt
2 hand of old rusty nails ( steel not galvanized )
½ cup a water in a spray bottle
You will need a bucket or ice cream container ( I use a long one ) to contain the mixture, undo the steel wool toss in the old nails, put the salt in a spray bottle with the water give a good shake to dissolve the salt and spray the steel wool and nails until the bottle is empty. Let the mixture sit for a few days toss every day it may be necessary to spray the steel wool and nails with plain water to promote as much rust build up as possible. The steel wood pad should lose at least 70 to 80 %. The longer you wait for rust, the better.
When the water is completely evaporate add ½ cup of apple cider vinegar let sit for 15 minutes strain and seal in a glass bottle, Keep for a year, if the mixture turn green by the time you finished it the result will not be as astounding.
To apply wipe down your pen or project with a wet rag to rise the grain allow the surface to dry sand it lightly with your last sanding grit, apply the stain with a foam paint brush, after the coat is dry sand it again and apply another coat or until colour is reached . Sanding will become less necessary with each additional coat as you do not sand too much from the surface.
Serge