Subject: Darkening cherry with lye

From: [email-masked] (Darren Scott Cobb)
Date: 1 Apr 1997 15:33:15 GMT

I'm considering this technique for a piece I'm currently
building.  I've tested it on scraps, and I really like the
results.  I put on gloves and applied a water & lye mixture.
Varying the lye concentration varied the darkening.  The 
figure does not seem to be hindered or hidden in any way.

My problem is:  I'm hesitant to apply this much water to
my finished piece of furniture (It's a buffet).  The mixture
is probably 95% water.  Am I asking for trouble with warping,
expansion, etc.?

A related question:  Could I use mineral spirits as the
solvent?  Lye is scary enough by itself, and I'm concerned
about possible chemical reactions.  I don't want to snuff
out my entire condo complex.

I'm open to any suggestions, even of the "Don't commit
such a grievous offense against cherry!" type.

(BTW, I posted on this earlier, and got zero responses.
Either no one was interested, or the post disappeared.
Anyway, I apologize if this is a duplication.)

Thanks in advance,

Darren Scott Cobb                  __  .    __    .      _/|__    ,
Indiana University               }<_;>  . }<_;>  .     /`o _  `\_/ 
[email-masked]                            __  .   >,_____,/^\ 
http://ezinfo.ucs.indiana.edu/~dascobb/      }<_;>        \|      `

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From: [email-masked](John Alexander)
Date: 2 Apr 1997 07:12:20 GMT

In <[email-masked]> [email-masked]
>is probably 95% water.  Am I asking for trouble with warping,

I have used this technique a few times, although on smaller pieces. I
put my mixture in a spray bottle and misted it on. You do not have to
drench the surface, just get it wet. I also wet the surface before
treating, allowed it to dry, then sanded it. This will reduce the grain
raising effect of the water/lye mixture.

Alex

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From: James Foster <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 01 Apr 1997 11:46:38 -0600

> is probably 95% water.  Am I asking for trouble with warping,

Well, don't soak the pieces in the stuff, and wipe off
all excess quickly. Why not do individual pieces after
smoothing but before final assembly? Be easier to dry them
and you can just let them sit for a day or two to 
stabilize again. Spot treat any places that get marred
while putting the pieces together.
 
> about possible chemical reactions.  

Lye isn't _that_ bad, but do take precautions. Mineral
spirits won't solvate the lye. Stick to the water.