Veneer

deserter · 16 Apr 2013

Hi folks, I need a dark veneer to create some pinstripes in a laminate of timbers, I have loads of quarter sawn oak and a little tulipwood veneers in the right sizes and was wondering if its possible to darken either type successfully. The trouble is I can't dye the veneer because I brad to shape the piece after its laminated and so need the timber to darken right through. I had thought of trying to fume the oak in ammonia or stain it with rusted wire wool, but I'm not sure how far this penetrates into the wood.

Anyone successfully done anything like this before?

I know I can buy coloured veneers but I'm a cheap *** and figured it would be fun to do it myself.

~Nil carborundum illegitemi~

ColeyS1 · 16 Apr 2013

Not sure how to do it but ive wondered something very similar. My query is about stained laminate gun stocks. These appear to have the different coloured stain right through every layer. They must have found a way that they can force the stain into the timber :???:

rileytoolworks · 16 Apr 2013

Vacuum infusing it will stain right through veneers.
What thickness are we talking about?
What size are the pieces you need?
I have some walnut 0.6mm that I could stick in a jiffy envelope and send you, if that's any help?

All the best.

Adam.

marcros · 16 Apr 2013

i would have thought that fuming the oak would through colour normal veneers up to a few mm thick. as would ebonising.

MIGNAL · 17 Apr 2013

Fuming might do it. The usual ferrous acetate will barely penetrate much more than 0.2 mm in Oak. You need pressure to force the dye into the veneer. I've dyed thin veneer by coiling it into a pressure cooker. Large stuff is much more problematic. Forget home made pressure vessels, too dangerous. I haven't tried Vacuum but it might be worth a go if you have access to the equipment.

deserter · 17 Apr 2013

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll try a few experiments on some off cuts and see how they work out, I might even photograph them and post up the results.

I near 4 pieces 900x50 in total so probably not going to fit in a Jiffy bag safely, thanks got the kind offer though. This is also the reason I don't really want to fork out for a full leaf, there'd be far too much wastage. .

~Nil carborundum illegitemi~