The Framers Forum

Hi all,

I'm endeavouring to stain one of Lion's Ash samples (L940) black so it matches that of another (that they already stock and which is already stained).

I had a go last night and after three coats it's looking "yellowey" rather than black at the moment - is it the case that I need to apply a lot of coats, or do I need to rough the surface up at all? Or should I be generous with the stain?

(I'm using a sample of Chestnut's Black Spirit Stain).

Thanks,

Sean

Ash (and oak) are difficult to stain hard black. At best they tend to come out greyish. If you want solid black, paint it with artists acylic (couple of coats should do it) and wax polish when dry.

btw. If the existing plain one has been sealed in any way, if will need a damn good rubbing down to accept the paint.

Black polish is good (shellac)

Paul Hardy
www.sudbury-picture-frames.co.uk

Actually I do a very solid black on ash - One coat stain, one coat shellac sanding sealer, a second coat of stain, followed by another coat of sealer, (for a smoother finish, do 2/3 coats of sealer and rub with 0000 wool) then varnish/wax. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Stain will stick very well to shellac, I use this method to make deep & rich blue red & purples too.

Edit: Here's a couple I did earlier: The bottom one has gilt varnish rubbed into the grain.

Thanks Guys - good tips as usual. I rang Lion and L940 isn't sealed. L1168 is the moulding that I'm trying to replicate (page 20 at the bottom).

I'll see if I can get some black acrylic paint and shellac and have a dabble.

Thanks again,

Sean

Hi Bagel Framer,
Have you tried using black Gumlac, I use it in a doily (A cotton ball inside a rag impregnated with black gumlac) and stained in the length in one pass, you can add more coats if desired and even steel wool and wax for a suprior finish showing the grain.
TIP, Black Gumlac is also very dence, quick and easy to use in the underside of the rebate to stop reflections in mirrors (less hasle than using a black marker pen and covers gold leaf,foil and paint.)

A good paint supplier should know were to get it local to you.

Try Some
MITREMAN
www.framersequipment.co.uk

Sean, stain/seal/stain/seal/seal again/rub with wire wool would replicate that moulding perfectly - the top one in my picture is my version of L1168.

Thanks Steve, I've got the wool so I'll give it a go. All I need to source is the sealer and I should be able to get that locally in theory.

Sean

If you can't get it locally, Lion have it

MITREMAN wrote: TIP, Black Gumlac is also very dence, quick and easy to use in the underside of the rebate to stop reflections in mirrors (less hasle than using a black marker pen and covers gold leaf,foil and paint.)

A good paint supplier should know were to get it local to you.

No good local paint suppliers around here. Any idea where I might find some mail order?

A black spirit based woodstain followed when dry ) with Liberon black patinating wax works for me.

the liberon black patinating wax is the best final finish we have found, as well. I dont think you'll do better.
Black acrylic, then black waxed.

I tried acrylic, but found that it filled the finer grains more than stain/sealer.

a bronze wire brush sorts that out nicely if you want to reveal or enhance the grain. its quick, too. paint, brush then wax.

A dusting with rottenstone before the final buffing will subtly highlight the grain pattern.

or fag-ash

Before I discovered Rottenstone I have been known to use the contents of the hoover bag.

btw. I works better if you apply the wax and wipe of excess, then dust over after the solvent in the wax has dried off (1/2 hour?). Then give it a good buffing.

prospero wrote: Before I discovered Rottenstone I have been known to use the contents of the hoover bag.

That would write me off for at least 3 days - my allergies are great excuses for not doing housework! I can control them with a prescription nasal spray but since our cat passed away I can keep it all under control by just not being around when housework is done.

The odd old frame catches me out now and again.

kev@frames wrote:or fag-ash

Must try that...

Moglet wrote: Must try that...

Lemme guess.....liquorice paper roll-ups.