handle finishing question

GibsonFan

GibsonFan

Joined
Jul 7, 2006
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In the past I've used a lye solution to prep figured maple for finishing, after the surface is all nice and clean. It gives a lot of depth to the grain and makes the swirls or stripes stand out nicely, even before staining.

However, I can't seem to get my hands on any lye at the local stores :mad: Anyone know of a similar prep to make the grain pop out?
 
an old treatment for maple gunstocks was to treat it with Nitric acid. swab it on and let it dry, it will turn yellow, then go over the maple with a heat source. Heat guns work well as do electric hot plates, propane torches can be used, but care must be taken to keep from burning the wood. this process carmalizes the sugars in the maple and can create a variety of colors.

Ken
 
if i remember right lye was created by mixing ash and lard together. its been at least 10 years since i had heard the recipe but i think thats what it was. you can always make your own lye. or see if you can find lye soap online.
 
You make lye by filtering water through ash. Thats how they make potash (industrial term for lye).

Adding cooked lard is the next step in the process of making soap.
 
ok thanks for clearing that up. like i said it has been many moons since i heard the recipe. HEHEHE!!!!
 
No problem. I like to use google and read various useless crap too! Hehe.
 
Fiddleback said:
You make lye by filtering water through ash. Thats how they make potash (industrial term for lye).
Click to expand...

Well, sort of ;) Caustic potash is potassium hydroxide. I'm talking about sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), as in Red Devil drain opener. Maybe lye is a more generic term than I thought? Potash would likely work the same; they're both strong alkali's and I think that's the key. They will both burn ya, I know that for a FACT. Anyway, I'll go to the chemical plant I used to work at and see what I can find...

I've read about the nitric wash too, I will try that next time. Too late this time, I got antsy and started oiling the handle yesterday. :o

Thanks for your help guys!
 
Lye is available in many hardware stores. Look for the drain cleaners. The grocery stores used to stock it with the Drano (read the labels for Sodium or Potassium Hydroxide ,which are basically the same). Red Devil Lye was the main brand. Drano would probably work in a pinch. Lye is probably still sold at the smaller and older style groceries. Used to be used as a hair straightening product years ago.
Stacy
 
bladsmth said:
Lye is available in many hardware stores.
Stacy
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's what I thought, too. It used to be in every grocery store for like $2 a 1/2 pound or something. They're telling us they can't sell it anymore, I suppose some yahoo figured out how to make a bomb out of it or something. :jerkit: I'll call my old boss at the chem plant and see if I can get the story straight. And get some good caustic.

If you have some on hand, try a light wash of it on some birdseye maple. It's fast, dirt-simple and works nice.
 
Go to www.trackofthewolf.com and search "aquafortis". Little bottle costs about $6.00 and will treat several rifle stocks and many knife handles. It's the old time recipe and works great. Lot safer than Red Devil or other lye products. Just coat the wood, let it dry, careful heat, and you've got the figure poppin'. Can be used a second time if you want a darker look. A coat of medium brown Fiebings leather dye will help also.
Rick
 
Thanks for the link, RickLowe.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one using leather-dye on wood and wood-stain on leather...
 
I haven't picked up any pure lye, and haven't tried aquafortis yet (although I surely will.)

Out of desperation I tried some generic Liquid Plumber. I just applied a swipe with an old but clean paintbrush. I was a little concerned about the bleach in it... the lye definitely got the desired effect but the wood turned slightly green. I think that's the bleach talking. Not a very pleasant look, honestly. The LP raised the grain noticeably. But the birdseyes sure did pop out... so I slapped a quick coat of black leather dye on it after it was rinsed and dried, and am pretty pleased. It shimmers very nicely, has that 3D look I want. So I can't recommend it for a clear finish, but dye covers up the "ew" factor well.

I know this isn't the best way to accomplish making the grain show up, but it does work, so I thought I'd throw it out there.

*Use full safety gear with this stuff! Glasses and gloves at least. I work right by the sink with the COLD water running a little just in case. Read the label, etc etc. I'm not kidding, I used to work in a chem plant and have scars that remind me to be careful :o
 
My Dad cures olives with lye, Ace hardware carries it, or look on the world famous internet auction site that starts with an E, then look in the candle and soap making category.
 
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