Why Does This Keep Failing

[stranker]

I'm trying to ebonize a rosewood fingerboard on my fretless
I don't want to stain it black, i want it ebonized
i made a solution of vinegar, steel wool, and 2 non-galvanized nails. TWICE.
the 1st solution i didn't stir
it did nothing
and it turned the t shirt i used orange
and i'm using a new solution where i stirred it all week and its not darkening at all after the 3rd coat
what am i doing wrong?

[Son of Magni]

I'm trying to ebonize a rosewood fingerboard on my fretless
I don't want to stain it black, i want it ebonized
i made a solution of vinegar, steel wool, and 2 non-galvanized nails. TWICE.
the 1st solution i didn't stir
it did nothing
and it turned the t shirt i used orange
and i'm using a new solution where i stirred it all week and its not darkening at all after the 3rd coat
what am i doing wrong?

Ok, here's what I need you to do. Grab another piece of wood, maple or even white pine, and smear some of your solution on it and wait like 20 minutes and see what happens.

Report back...

[stranker]

Ok, here's what I need you to do. Grab another piece of wood, maple or even white pine, and smear some of your solution on it and wait like 20 minutes and see what happens.

Report back...

alright, for some reason it didn't post it
but basically
i put a popsicle stick into it
turned pretty black
however
waited a few hours on my rosewood fretboard
there was a dust-like substance covering the fretboard, and it darkened it a hair
should i keep applying more coats?

[CCR90]

why not just buy the actual stain?

[stranker]

why not just buy the actual stain?

well 1: i'm cheap
2: it looks fake
3: ebonizing is better

[Akira]

I assume your fretboard isn't sealed with anything to protect it?
I am not sure why it wouldn't be working.

[Son of Magni]

I assume your fretboard isn't sealed with anything to protect it?
I am not sure why it wouldn't be working.

Well, there are two possible reasons. One is the mixture is fu'd for some reason which is why I said to try it on something else. The other is that this process depends on the tannin in the wood for the chemical reaction. If the wood has very little tannin then it just won't work. But most wood has plenty of tannin...

[stranker]

Well, there are two possible reasons. One is the mixture is fu'd for some reason which is why I said to try it on something else. The other is that this process depends on the tannin in the wood for the chemical reaction. If the wood has very little tannin then it just won't work. But most wood has plenty of tannin...

well, its a pretty colorful peice of rosewood and i hate it
most of it is really dark but there's this one streak that's way lighter than the rest and it pisses me off and it just looks plain...bad as a fretless neck
and i want that thing away
so i'm gonna keep adding coats, cause it DID darken, a little. just a little. and aren't you the guy that makes those crazy lookin' guitars?

[Son of Magni]

...aren't you the guy that makes those crazy lookin' guitars?

http://www.thorbass.com

[stranker]

http://www.thorbass.com

not the same one i'm thinking of, however, your basses still kick major ***:thumb:

[rh15951]

Add some actual wood stain to the mixture?

[stranker]

Add some actual wood stain to the mixture?

that defeats the purpose of making the stain
it looks like a mix between coffee and diarheea
is that normal?
a black crust is developing on top

[rh15951]

that defeats the purpose of making the stain
it looks like a mix between coffee and diarheea
is that normal?
a black crust is developing on top

Well the stain you've made clearly isn't working as you want it to... It was only an idea you stuck up ****.

[stranker]

Well the stain you've made clearly isn't working as you want it to... It was only an idea you stuck up ****.

i wasn't even trying to bash you dude, calm down
and it DOES darken things..just after multiple coats
i'm wondering what i can do to make it stain it the 1ST time; not the seventh

[Son of Magni]

Well, did you ever try it on some other piece of wood like I suggested?

Once it's that oxidized you can actually run it through a filter (pour it through a white rag) to get rid of the crud :)

[stranker]

Well, did you ever try it on some other piece of wood like I suggested?

Once it's that oxidized you can actually run it through a filter (pour it through a white rag) to get rid of the crud :)

yeah i tested it
if you look up i told ya
i tested it on a popsicle stick and it turned blackish
does the rag have to be white?
i already used a white t shirt and it turned it like...orangish the last attempt i did at this

[Sammy_L_D]

Think for a few seconds here:

You are trying to stain rosewood.

Rosewood is a very dense wood.

You should create a scratch pattern first.

[stranker]

Think for a few seconds here:

You are trying to stain rosewood.

Rosewood is a very dense wood.

You should create a scratch pattern first.

a what now?

[slpntrx5]

a what now?

i think he means rough up the wood abit so the stain can soak in easier. could be wrong tho...

[Nipples]

well 1: i'm cheap
2: it looks fake
3: ebonizing is better

Its what 5 bucks?

How is an oil stain going to look any faker than some concoction you make in your backyard?

[Sammy_L_D]

i think he means rough up the wood abit so the stain can soak in easier. could be wrong tho...

Yeah, sorta.

Basically, rosewood is a very dense, non-porous wood, and thus, doesn't accept stain very well.

The only way to really get around this is to sand the fretboard (WITH THE GRAIN!!!) to a reasonable grit that'll accept the stain.

I haven't tried staining rosewood before...150 or maybe even 180 grit might do it.