Rust for stain

[russellellis]

Has anyone here used (purposefully) rust as a stain? Ive done some searching and only come up with a few very brief comments about it. I noticed it in my kitchen floor as i was refinishing it, that the face nailed boards had beautiful dark streaks that seemed to follow the grain like a meandering river. So that got me thinking of using rust as a stain, its pros and cons (if any), what it is actually doing to the wood. What wood would it work on ....etc. Ive read of vinegar and steel wool being used to make a paste.
Anyone ever used a method like this?

 

[Joe Scharle]

I've done it. Works VG on oak. Rinse the steel wool in acetone to get the wax off. Soak the steel wool in white vinegar for a week, strain the steel out. Won't be a paste, just liquid. Wipe on and the oak will react.

 

[ptt49er]

Joe,

Do you have any pictures of the oak you've done like this?

I might just have to try it, sounds like a neat finish.

 

[Joe Scharle]

Sorry, built that desk a few years ago, but I prefer a dark oak gel now.