Redneck I am not a stock expert but I think the amonia bring out the color in the wood. I know stock makers also steam the wood to do the same type thing. Cowboy (or anybody else)please correct me if I am wrong about this.
Right you are sir. Amonia fumming reacts with tanic acid in the wood and force ages it. Some woods, such as walnut and oak, contain tanic acid by nature. Maple, as is the case with my A5 stock, needs to have tanic acid introduced. I find it much cheaper to brew up a strong cup of black tea and slobber that on as part of my whiskering stages.
It's kinda' shocking the first time you use this process. You're nice high dollar stock set just turned a nasty yellow/brown mustard yuck color. But fear not, once the whisker is removed and the first coats of finish have been applied the nice rich honey colors will come through.
You gotta' watch walnut though, and I mean that literaly. The color shift may seem gradual for a while, fifteen minutes later you peek in and your wood could be nearly black.
As for stains, I'm with you guys. That stuff's for decks and window sills.
"There are three kinds of men Those who learn by reading The few who learn by observing The rest have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves."
