Here is another blast from the past...

I was taught to use a water wheel to sharpen various tools way back while I was in college working in an antique restoration shop. The water smelled horrible and was always very murky. It wasn't until a little later that I found out why...
I saw one of the craftsman walk over to the wheel and urinate into the trough. I immediately went to the sink and washed my hands and asked my fellow worker what the hell was that all about? He explained the iron filings and nails would break down faster by adding uric acid, ammonia and vinegar to the water and then went on to explain how this mixture would age various hardwoods based on how much tannin was in the wood. From light grey to totally black.

Have some fun and make a batch, straining it through cheesecloth before using and gather some scraps to experiment with. To check the color concentration after it is completely dry I use a spray can of SealCoat shellac to bring out the beauty and depth of color of different concentrations. Or, take some old rusty iron/cut nails and put them in a jar with filled with equal parts of water and ammonia. After the solution turns very dark over a few days you're ready to go...or you can speed it up...

Alan can be reached directly via email c/o Alan Noel Furniture Refinishing at alannoel@comcast.net .

Visiting Atlanta? Attend one of Alan's upcoming highly informative Highland Woodworking wood finishing seminars:

March 18, 2020 Finishing the Finish
March 21, 2020 Finishing 101
April 1, 2020 Coloring Wood
April 8, 2020 French Polish Workshop