This section is from the "Encyclopedia Of Practical Receipts And Processes" book, by William B. Dick. Also available from Amazon: Dick's encyclopedia of practical receipts and processes.
To Stain Wood. staining wood is altogether a different process from dyeing it, and requires no preparation before the stain be applied. In preparing the stain, but little trouble is required; and, generally speaking, its application differs very little from that of painting. "When carefully done, and properly varnished, staining has a very beautiful appearance, and is much less likely to meet with injury than japanning.
2843. Black Stain for Immediate Use. Boil 1/2 pound chip logwood in 2 quarts water, add 1 ounce pearlash, and apply it hot to the work with a brush. Then take J pound logwood, boil it as before in 2 quarts water, and add 1/2 ounce verdigris and 1/2 ounce green copperas; strain it off, put in 1/2 pound rusty steel filings; with this, go over the work a second time.
2844. To Stain Wood Like Ebony. Take a solution of sulphate of iron (green copperas), and wash the wood over with it 2 or 3 times; let it dry, and apply 2 or 3 coats of a strong hot decoction of logwood; wipe the wood, when dry, with a sponge and water, and polish with linseed oil.
2845. To Stain Wood Light Mahogany Color. Brush over the surface with diluted nitrous acid, and when dry apply the following, with a soft brush: dragon's blood, 4 ounces; common soda, 1 ounce; spirit of wine, 3 pints. Let it stand in a warm place, shake it frequently, and then strain. Repeat the application until the proper color is obtained.
2846. To Stain Dark Mahogany Color. Boil 1/2 pound madder and 2 ounces logwood in 1 gallon water; then brush the wood well over with the hot liquid. When dry, go over the whole with a solution of 2 drachms pearlash in 1 quart water.
2847. To Stain Mahogany Color. Pure Socotrine aloes, 1 ounce; dragon's blood, 1/2 ounce; rectified spirit, 1 pint; dissolve, and apply 2 or 3 coats to the surface of the wood; finish off with wax or oil tinged with alkanet. Or: Wash over the wood with strong aquafortis, and when dry, apply a coat of the above varnish; polish as last. Or: Logwood, 2 ounces; madder, 8 ounces; fustic, 1 ounce; water, 1 gallon; boil 2 hours, and apply it several times to the wood boiling hot; when dry, slightly brush it over with a solution of pearlash, 1 ounce, in water, 1 quart; dry and polish as before. Or : Logwood, 1 part; water, 8 parts. Make a decoction and apply it to the wood; when dry, give it 2 or 3 coats of the following varnish : dragon's blood, 1 part; spirits of wine, 20 parts. Mix.
2848. Beechwood Mahogany. Dissolve 2 ounces dragon's blood and 1 ounce aloes in 1 quart rectified spirit of wine, and apply it to the surface of the wood previously well polished. Or : Wash over the surface of the wood with aquafortis, and when thoroughly dry give it a coat of the above varnish. Or: Boil 1 pound logwood chips in 2 quarts water, and add 2 handfuls of walnut peel; boil again, then strain, and add 1 pint good vinegar; apply as above.
 
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