iron bolts stain oak?

[llama]

Hello all, I need to attach two curves of red oak together at a central crossover so as to form a 'X' shape. I've heard that iron bolts stain oak due to its acidity or something like that. Is this true? I built a futon frame before with a red oak cross member and the dowel nuts I had in there seemed to stain the oak, but I'm not sure if it was due to the nuts or not. If they do stain, is it metal in general or just iron (in the form of steel)? ie would i be able to avoid staining with brass or zinc-plated bolts?

thanks, andrew

[Charlie Self]

llama fake asks:

If brass is strong enough, go with it. If not, go stainless. Ferrous metals combine with tannic acids in oak to make for ugly black stains.

Charlie Self

Facts are stupid things. Ronald Reagan

[Rodney Myrvaagnes]

Ferrous metal (iron, steel) will make black stains in oak because of the tannin content of the oak. Exactly like the traditional black stain made with tannin and iron filings.

Brass would be ok. Zinc plated would be ok if no pinholes in the zinc plating. I would use brass.

Rodney Myrvaagnes J36 Gjo/a

"That idiot Leibniz, who wants to teach me about the infinitesimally small! Has he therefore forgotten that I am the wife of Frederick I? How can he imagine that I am unacquainted with my own husband?"

[Lenny]

[JimC622911]

I've got some glulam beams in my house that were left too long in the rain before the roof went on. I've got the black stain surrounding the steel hardware joining the beams and the posts. Is there a good way to clean this stain up? Sanding will take an awfully long time. Use a wood bleacher? Some other product utilizing a chemical reaction that fades or does away with the black color? TIA

[Doug Miller]

Try oxalic acid.

-- Regards, Doug Miller (alphageek-at-milmac-dot-com)

Save the baby humans - stop partial-birth abortion NOW

[Lew Hodgett]

Yes.

It only costs a modest amount to go first class.

Silicon bronze would be my choice.

A couple of years after installation, you will understand why bronze vs red brass or heavens forbid, zinc plate or even galvanized.

Bronze is available from almost any good hardware store that is located around boats or on the web from Jamestown Distributors in Rhode Island.

HTH