I am finishing a stabilized maple handle and would like it darker.
I found a piece of maple to experiment on, tried some
potassium permagnate on it and low and behold it dyed it a nice brown, I tried to buff it off but it stayed right there. I just put this out as I thought that stabilized wood had to be dyed before stabilizing, any thoughts on this. Gib

I also did the same sort of thing with spirit based wood dye on stabilised wood and it took on some nice colours. Wouldn't buff off, (actually came up exactly how I wanted it) but it could be cut back with 800grit, it was fresh stuff underneath (no dye) so its likely most of it is just below the surface. I don't know about permanganate though. Have you tried to sand it back to see how deep it went ? Jason.

Jason, it is a surface treatment but seems durable. PP even on antler dose not penetrate very far. Gib

Originally posted by cactusforge
I am finishing a stabilized maple handle and would like it darker.
I found a piece of maple to experiment on, tried some
potassium permagnate on it and low and behold it dyed it a nice brown, I tried to buff it off but it stayed right there. I just put this out as I thought that stabilized wood had to be dyed before stabilizing, any thoughts on this. Gib

I've tried to find patassium permanganate locally without success. Wher do you get it?:confused:

Don, try a drug store, or even Sears. I think I bought mine from a chemical supply house online.

bringing out the curly figure in maple and several other woods
is done by using various acids.. there is one that works better
than most.. we call it tricromic acid.. not totally sure
exactly whats in it..(it will turn your fingers slightly yellow but wont hurt you ..)
i get it in a test tube with a cork in the mouth
of the tube and alot of cotton stuffed in the tube to keep the crystals dry... you simply mix a bit of them in warm water..stir it up and apply it to your wood.. it instantly brings out the curly
and gives the wood a honey color... then a finish with boiled linseed oil gives that wonderfull natural brown curly with all the
figure..that is as good a finish as a huntin gun needs..for a wall hanger or wet enviorments.. a few rubdowns with satin tung oil
and youve got a nail hard finish.. the tri cromic costs about $3.00
and i only know one place to get it... cach la pudre rifle works, ft.
collins colorado. if your wood isnt totaly dryed or seasoned..and is green at all..you can get a neat greenish tinge instead of honey color.. both are nice looking.... also..this finish can be sanded off easily or touched up easily...

Dixie Gun Works carried the tri-chrom last time I checked. Try it on curly hickory, it'll blow your socks off!
Crex