Darkest Wood Stain?

[Searcher7]

I'm searching for the darkest wood stain I can find, and would appreciate any recommendations.

Is staining to black even possible?

Thanks.

Darren Harris Staten Island, New York

[Garage_Woodworks]

Try this:

[Leon]

Absolutely, General Finishes makes a Black Stain.

[SonomaProducts.com]

[Old Guy]

Other people have reported success in staining black with india ink. REALLY black. I havenn't done it. I have used occasional black magic marker on some touchups that worked OK.

Obviously you need to check for compatibility with the finish.

Old Guy

[B A R R Y]

Look into "ebonizing".

High quality drafting inks do great, as do some chemical treatments. Some black dyes are good, but many can fade to a blu-ish purple.

[Swingman]

General Finishes' "Java" Gel Stain is about as dark a stain as I've seen off the shelf, and it can make even poplar look good stained.

[Joe]

Not long ago, I started a thread on this and posted my results after testing several finishes. The winner for ebonizing maple was a drop or two of undiluted transtint black spread on the board with a rag just dampened with d-alcohol. It was *black*. CharlieB suggested Design Higgins WaterProof Drawing Ink 4415 and I want to try it but haven't yet. Anyway, that thread was titled 'ebonizing maple and was originally posted 1/15/08.

Good luck,

jc

[Leon]

Look here and scroll down to Lamp Black. While it is a milk paint you can wipe off for a stained look.

[Searcher7]

I just want to make sure that whatever I use will penetrate deep enough so that normal scuffing will not result in light colored "scars".

Darren Harris Staten Island, New York