Wood Stabilizing Formula

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hppyevraftr

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I have done some great stabilizing wood w/ pure Polyurethane, but was wondering if anyone else know of any other good mixtures/brands that will make the wood look "Clear" Once it's stabilized.
I've found the polyurethane gives the wood a darker appearance & significantly changes the color once it fully penetrates the grain. I just want something that is a more true "Clear" & perhaps has better properties than pure Polyurethane for knife handles.

Any suggestions anyone? Mixtures or brands of stabilizing liquid other than 100% pure polyurethane?
 
You could try an actually wood hardener, i don't know about how clear it would be. Generally I think any coating you put on wood will make it darker.

How do you stabilize it anyway? Do you have a vacuum tube or something?
 
I've seen quite a bit about using wood hardener. I made a setup using a canning jar and a food vacuum sealer. You might want to try thinning the wood hardener with acetone.
 
eyeeatingfish said:
You could try an actually wood hardener, i don't know about how clear it would be. Generally I think any coating you put on wood will make it darker.

I have been using wood hardner for years with great results. I have found for really deap penetration into the wood I grandually heat the wood hardner until it's at a rolling boil, use a pair of tongs to place it into the wood hardner. Do not drop them in because it will bubble over the jar or what ever you use. After it starts to settle a bit put the lid on and leave it until it cools to ambient temperate. It's done. Note: I do this by adding hotter and hotter water until it comes to a boil. Do not have an open flame anywhere near this stuff it is highly combustable.
As far as it turning darker. It will darken slightly but after you sand it down it will turn lighter. After I get it to final shape I use CA glue to seal it and buff. Works wonders. I made a hunter 5 years ago thats seen a lot of use outdoors and the handle is still in excellent condition minus a dent or two from using it to split small limbs for fire wood on a camping/hunting trip.
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The solution I use for stabilizing is clear. I use a piece of steel pipe for my pressure/vacuum vessel and it will change the color of the solution due to rust on the inside of the vessel. I don't mind the slightly darker color but if you want it to stay clear you could use stainless steel for your vessel.

Jim
 
Don Robinson, a well known maker from Texas says he recently placed scales into Nelsonite and just left them there for several days. He got excellent results with little if any colour change. Frank
 
Awesome! I cant wait to do this. I've always been told that you'll never get results even slightly close to what you'd get from a manufacturer. So I never bothered with it. I have a bunch of Box Elder in my yard, and I saw some stabilized box elder that was unbelievably beautiful! Its like the pearl of trees. lol. But I'm digging Kvolle's method. Kvolle, How big of pieces can you stabilize successfully? Also when you say wood hardener are you referring to Minwax High Performance Wood Hardener? Cuz I see that stuff everywhere, and I can get some EASY. I hope it does keep it pretty clear after a good sanding, Cuz this stuff is the whitest wood I've seen. But I have seen dark Box Elder burl before.. (not as pretty) Lol Just cuz of this thread I had to go take the machete out back and do some chopping and got a huge branch.

What about Dyes? Guys? Anyone ever been successful Stabilizing and dyeing at home?
 
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