staining wood

Wood can be enhanced by staining or darkening it. Wengé and chocolate tones are very trendy in interior design. Dark woods are the perfect complement to pure, simple lines and add the somber touch needed in light-colored rooms.

Commercial walnut stain is a natural product actually made from Cassel earth, which can also be found as a pigment in powder form. It is used to stain wood to obtain light to dark walnut shades. It releases no VOCs. It is completely odor-free and harmless to apply.

Here are a few colored oil recipes for untreated wood:
light walnut
- 1/10 part of walnut (Cassel brown) stain
- 2 parts linseed oil
- 1/2 part eco-friendly solvent*
medium oak
- 1/5 part of walnut (Cassel brown) stain
- 1 1/2 parts linseed oil
- 1/2 part eco-friendly solvent
dark oak
- 1/2 part of walnut (Cassel brown) stain
- 1 part linseed oil
- 1/2 part eco-friendly solvent
wengé
- 1 part of walnut (Cassel brown) stain
- 1/2 part linseed oil
- 1/2 part eco-friendly solvent

Test on a small area first to check the color. You can create golden or mahogany shades by adding yellow or red pigments to the walnut stain. Let the colored oil dry about 2 hours.

The stain can be diluted with water. Remember to thoroughly sand the surface to be stained, because water tends to raise wood fibers.

Once the stain is dry, protect it with a natural wax, if the furniture piece is to be used indoors, or with a varnish, if it is for outdoors.

Genuine walnut stain used by artists and calligraphers is made from steeped walnut hulls. You can make your own by crushing green walnut husks (not the shells). Add boiling water and let steep. Store in an airtight jar, away from light.

* eco-friendly solvent: found in hardware stores in the turpentine section.

October 2008 [green DIY]
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