Ammonia fumed oak

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Tom Aylwin
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Joined: Tue 23 Nov, 2021 10:11 am
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Ammonia fumed oak

Post by Tom Aylwin »

Hello!
This is my first post. I am a box maker (contourboxes.com) so please excuse my intrusion! I wonder if anyone can help...
I would like to know if anyone has experience of how gilding - namely real silver, white gold or 24ct applied to fumed or smoked oak (in my case in the form of a box) might be affected over time.
My usual method is oil gilding over a sanding sealed and primed oak lid.
I would be looking at using industrial strength ammonia in a very cunningly designed sealed chamber [for safety].
The oak would be in the chamber for about 24 hours and then allowed to gas off in the open air for a further 48 hours.
Any feedback gladly received.

Tom
vintage frames
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Re: Ammonia fumed oak

Post by vintage frames »

I can't really see what problems you might have, even over time. The shellac should be a sufficient barrier to any residual out gassing of ammonia.

You mentioned using sanding sealer. Maybe use white or clear shellac polish instead and build up with two strong coats. Sanding sealer does contain a lot of zinc solids which might affect the appearance of the oak grain - ie. using a lot will tend to fill up the decorative grain.

Of course, a high carat gold will be unaffected by the ammonia, but the white gold and silver certainly will.
Affordable Gilding Course for Professional Framers-https://www.dermotmcardle.co.uk/
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Tom Aylwin
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue 23 Nov, 2021 10:11 am
Location: STEYNING
Organisation: Contour Boxes
Interests: Box making, cycle touring

Re: Ammonia fumed oak

Post by Tom Aylwin »

Thank you vintage frames!
I'm a bit confused by your first and last statements...
'I can't really see what problems you might have, even over time'...'gold will be unaffected by the ammonia, but the white gold and silver certainly will.'
Sorry to be a pain!
vintage frames
Posts: 1349
Joined: Tue 12 Jun, 2012 6:05 pm
Location: West Wales
Organisation: https://www.dermotmcardle.co.uk/
Interests: Making picture frames
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Re: Ammonia fumed oak

Post by vintage frames »

Sorry if I haven't explained myself better. What I meant was that the shellac and goldsize should be a sufficient barrier to protect the gilding from any residual ammonia in the wood.
If some ammonia does leach through to the gilding, then a high carat gold, ie 23ct to 24ct will be unaffected. Gold doesn't tarnish.
White gold however contains zinc and nickel and these elements will easily tarnish if exposed to ammonia. As will silver leaf.
But, as I said, I doubt that there would be much ammonia left in the wood so as to cause a problem.
Affordable Gilding Course for Professional Framers-https://www.dermotmcardle.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/dermotmcardle/
Tom Aylwin
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue 23 Nov, 2021 10:11 am
Location: STEYNING
Organisation: Contour Boxes
Interests: Box making, cycle touring

Re: Ammonia fumed oak

Post by Tom Aylwin »

vintage frames wrote: Tue 23 Nov, 2021 5:51 pm Sorry if I haven't explained myself better. What I meant was that the shellac and goldsize should be a sufficient barrier to protect the gilding from any residual ammonia in the wood.
If some ammonia does leach through to the gilding, then a high carat gold, ie 23ct to 24ct will be unaffected. Gold doesn't tarnish.
White gold however contains zinc and nickel and these elements will easily tarnish if exposed to ammonia. As will silver leaf.
But, as I said, I doubt that there would be much ammonia left in the wood so as to cause a problem.
Brilliant, thank you!
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