How to Ebonize Wood
Learn to ebonize less expensive wood yourself so it looks like the real deal and saves you money.
Up next in Great Craft Ideas (67 videos)
Into arts and crafts? Check out the great craft ideas in this Howcast video series.
You Will Need
- Steel wool
- 2 plastic jars
- White vinegar
- A coffee filter
- A paint brush
- Rags
- Ammonia
Steps
-
Step 1
Place steel wool in a jar
Place a piece of steel wool with no soap on it in one of the glass jars.
-
Make sure you are using real steel wool, not synthetic.
-
Step 2
Pour vinegar into the jar
Pour white vinegar into the jar, covering the steel wool completely.
-
Use plastic jars with plastic lids to avoid rust.
-
Step 3
Soak the steel wool
Place the lid tightly on the jar and let the steel wool soak for 48 hours. The steel wool will dissolve.
-
Step 4
Strain the liquid with a filter
Strain the liquid through the coffee filter into the other jar to remove any extra steel wool debris.
-
Step 5
Brush the solution onto the wood
Brush the solution onto the wood, wiping off any excess with the rags.
-
Using a darker wood will result in a darker finish. Apply multiple coats to achieve your desired shade.
-
Step 6
Brush ammonia onto the wood
When the wood is as dark as you want it, brush ammonia onto the wood to neutralize the solution and stop the dying process.
-
Did you know? The ebony tree is vital to the tourism industries in Kenya and Tanzania, where ebony wood carvings are popular with tourists.
