Maple Stains

[Black Hand]

Other than aqua fortis, what stains/colorants etc. have you tried for maple? How did they work? Can you post a recipe and "how to use"? Pictures too, if you have them.

Just curious,
Black Hand

 

[LRB]

I like Fiebings spirit based leather stains. I use a lot their medium brown which has a reddish tone to it. For dark stocks, I like 3 parts med brown, 1 part USMC black. Both are Fiebings. Finish darker than you want, as it will lighten up in about a year. Not too much, but some.

 

[Zonie]

This is 2 coats of Mahogany and 3 coats of American Walnut stain using Behlen MASTER SOLAR-LUX alcohol base stain.

I have also had good luck using Birchwood Casey "Walnut" which is a water base stain.

I, personally refuse to use any oil base stains.
IMO, oil base stains tend to give their full color on the first coat and additional coats don't seem to darken any more than the first coat did. I think that is because the wood can only absorb a limited amount of oil.

Water or alcohol base stains can be "built up" to any darkness you want by simply applying more coats, or using a different color.

 

[swifty]

I use Jim Chamber's stain he supplies with his kits.Check out Jim Chambers[url] flintlocks.com[/url] or look for his ads in Muzzelloader.

 

[Mike Brooks]

I use Jim Klien's stains. And, aqua fortis on occasion.

 

[Hoyt]

I used Permalyn Sealer, Laurel Mountain stains..Honey Maple and Lancaster Brown, Tru-oil and Permalyn Sealer then BC stock conditioner and BC wax.
You can see from the pictures it gives a wide range of options..I started to leave it lighter with more Honey Maple like the first photos but ended up darkening it up with more Lancaster Brown.

 

[Black Hand]

Those are both BEAUTIFUL guns. You are both lucky to have them. Keepup the FANTASTIC work.
Black Hand

 

[Mike Brooks]

This is Klien's golden brown and redish brown.

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This one is straight redish brown if I recall correctly.

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Here's an auqua fortis stained gun.

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[Packdog]

These are both stained with a mixture of Dangler's Dark Brown and a little Larel Mt. Cherry. Hand rubbed with 8 to 12 coats of low gloss Tung Oil

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