I recently read a post explaining the chemistry behind this process — how the tannin of the tea would combine with the oxidation of vinegar/steel wool mixture and provide an aging stain for new wood. I was doubtful. Since the ingredients were all on hand and economical I decided to run a test to see if it would do anything.
Brewing the mixtures
I made a small amount of tea with 4 tea bags and let them steep for a couple of hours. I got a small chunk of 0000 steel wool and dropped it in about 1/2 of apple cider vinegar. Both apple cider and white vinegar can be used — I just decided to try apple cider first. I left the lid off the jar, but the vinegar was evaporating so I sealed the jar and set both jars aside for a week or so — hence the mold you see in the tea jar. I just avoided those lumps and didn’t think they’d affect the staining or lack of. Notice the color of the popsicle stick? It’s from stirring the vinegar solution.
A few days before I had slopped both mixtures on a small piece of 2×4 expecting nothing. I walked by a couple hours later and stopped dead in my tracks saying “No way!” The smooth sides were dark brown and the rough ends were almost black. I decided it was time for a more serious test. That first test piece is in the top right corner of the rest of the pictures.
Wood before staining – 2 x 4 and pine board
Very light coat of tea applied with foam brush – can’t even see the tea
Vinegar solution applied very lightly with a foam brush (immediately after application)
After drying a couple hours
I can’t believe how much it stains. Both the tea and vinegar were barely wiped on, but the 2 x 4 in the upper left is almost black. I wanted to see if there would be a difference between just vinegar and vinegar applied over tea and there is a big difference. The tea does act with the vinegar to make it darken a lot more.
I want to make another toolbox so I may use this stuff as a test on that. Be warned about this vinegar/steel wool solution. It may just be vinegar but it’s a serious stain. I got it on a Formica clad board and it won’t come off, so if you use it show the same care you would with any stain.
