Aqua fortis

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wayne1967

54 Cal.
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Morning. After posting that pic of my old build I noticed the stock seems darker now then back then. Is aqua fortis known to darken over time? Thanks
 
Not sure about aqua fortis but depending on how you finished it that may be what's darkening. Linseed oil and similar go dark over time.
 
Aqua fortis will darken over time unless you kill it after Blushing it. I was taught to use a solution of baking soda and water, put all the baking soda in the water that it will absorb and then liberally apply to the stock.
 
Aqua fortis will darken over time unless you kill it after Blushing it. I was taught to use a solution of baking soda and water, put all the baking soda in the water that it will absorb and then liberally apply to the stock.
I have not found this to be true to any significant amount.
 
When exposed to light, all woods darken with time, regardless if they have been stained or not.

I will say that the one with the most darkening saw significantly more exposure to direct summer sunlight this year than normal for me. It also was more T&T Varnish based since I ran out of Permalyn.

[FWIW I use Iron Nitrate, not AF proper, and have never neutralized after the heat gun]
 
Aqua fortis (strong water) is straight nitric acid. Adding iron to aqua fortis makes iron nitrate. This is a maple stock that was done with aqua fortis diluted with water ( no iron added). Going on three decades since blushed out.
 

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