a better example of the lye effect

[Dewey Torres]

another possibility. i ended up submerging the whole thing after this picture.

Funny...you posted that just as I asked for ti! Thanks!

[Dewey Torres]

Be careful using the lye solutions. First for your own protection as lye is a caustic and will burn the skin . And second, for the piece, make sure to thoroughly to rinse ALL the lye off. The effects of lye will continue on the wood if it's not all rinsed off and out. It can damage the fibers and on some woods can cause the wood to look burned. Jim, looks like you did a great job on yours but I felt I should say something for others who may not know of some of the adverse effects it can have.

You are right Brian,
Jim has cautioned in some of his other posts about lye and has also said not to use it on anything you will eat out of.

[jim carter]

Funny...you posted that just as I asked for ti! Thanks!

i knew you were going to ask.

[Maylon Harvey]

Do you have to rinse or neutralize?

[jim carter]

neutralize with a vinegar water mixture of 1 cup vinegar to 1 gallon water is what i use. stronger solution removes the red. rinse first under cold water.

[Toney Robertson]

Do you really need the vinegar solution if you rinse with water first? I would think that the water would remove/neutralize the lye.

I know when I used it on mahogany that I had to be careful when I sanded down the grain that was raised so that I did not sand through the color. Did you find that true?

Did you submerge it to treat the inside? Wiping it on worked great for me but I was doing a piece that was accessible.

It is cool to watch the color change. Also like magic.

Toney