Why can't I stain timber black?

[droog]

As I was reading through the thread I thought "nobody has mentioned Feast Watson's Prooftint." Then in the last post La Huerta mentioned it.

Post 3 ??

And from Feast Watsons website

Available in a range of warm, natural and deeper tones, Prooftint™ is a unique, concentrated, spirit-based stain that allows the full clarity of the timber

[EagerBeaver71]

The very best method ive ever found is with Osmo 3590 Black Oil Stain

Been looking into this stuff, I must say it looks very good.

[Bushmiller]

Post 3 ??

And from Feast Watsons website

droog

I don't see that Prooftint was mentioned by name. I particularly picked up on this as the OP had referred to FW's Black Japan, which at first glance would seem a similar product: It is not, with "black" being where the similarity ends. I expect there would be other products out there that compare, but I can only talk of my own experience.

I guess I have fallen into the "Hoover" syndrome trap or for woodies "Masonite" instead of hardboard.



Regards
Paul

[jack620]

I particularly picked up on this as the OP had referred to FW's Black Japan, which at first glance would seem a similar product: It is not, with "black" being where the similarity ends.

I'm glad you pointed it out, because I thought the FW Black Japan was the only black they had.

[Jaded62]

Both the Japan black and black stains I mentioned in my first post here were Feast Watson Prooftint.

I ended up spray painting the frames with one coat undercoat and three light passes on satin black. Came out pretty good with the grain of the tassie oak on show.

[woodPixel]

Been looking into this stuff, I must say it looks very good.

Years back I went through the whole "try everything" to get the blackest black that wasn't paint.

I was keen to ensure the timbers qualities weren't simply drowned out by fillers and coats.

If I remember rightly, I tested damned near everything. Aniline (sp?) dies, inks, stains, everything to get black black.

This is where I fell on the the Osmo 3590 Black Oil Stain.

It soaked right in, didn't sit on the surface, made the deepest black of any method I tried and repeated applications showed that after the work is done, its done.... no need for more. One didn't waste it due to this (its $$$ stuff!)

It also didn't rub off or wear down, took a burnishing and touched up perfectly. A landlubber can use it without skill.

Like the ancient blue-water-in-chalk ad, this stuff soaked into the timber. It isn't a surface treatment.

I strongly recommend it.

[EagerBeaver71]

Years back I went through the whole "try everything" to get the blackest black that wasn't paint.

I was keen to ensure the timbers qualities weren't simply drowned out by fillers and coats.

If I remember rightly, I tested damned near everything. Aniline (sp?) dies, inks, stains, everything to get black black.

This is where I fell on the the Osmo 3590 Black Oil Stain.

It soaked right in, didn't sit on the surface, made the deepest black of any method I tried and repeated applications showed that after the work is done, its done.... no need for more. One didn't waste it due to this (its $$$ stuff!)

It also didn't rub off or wear down, took a burnishing and touched up perfectly. A landlubber can use it without skill.

Like the ancient blue-water-in-chalk ad, this stuff soaked into the timber. It isn't a surface treatment.

I strongly recommend it.

Have you tried any other colours in the same brand?. I'd be interested to hear if anyones managed to do a nice walnut colour with one of the pigments.

[homesy135]

I've used indian ink before. Very black.

I bought a little bottle from a newsagent but larger bottles (500mL) can be found at OfficeWorks




I see indian ink has been proposed earlier. I didn't see page 1 of this thread before replying.