Rant: My stubborn take on using ketchup as a wood stain...

I accidentally splattered some on a scrap piece and loved the rusty hue it gave, so now I keep a bottle in my kit for quick touch-ups, much to the horror of every other finisher I know...

3 comments

3 Comments

adam_lane811mo ago

Did an old barn door last year and used strong coffee as a base coat. Let it dry completely, then went over it with a wet tea bag, dabbing it for darker spots. It gave this perfect, uneven aged look that you just can't buy. The client loved it, but my usual supplier looked at me like I was crazy.

stella_carr331mo ago

So @adam_lane81, using coffee and tea on a barn door? That's next-level DIY (and probably smells better than most stains). Your supplier's face must have been priceless when you explained your 'brew-tiful' method. I mean, who needs pricey store-bought stuff when you've got kitchen scraps doing the work? That uneven look is exactly what folks want, and you nailed it with a coffee can and a tea bag. No surprise they thought you were crazy, but crazy gets the job done.

logan2051mo ago

Read an old furniture book that swore by vinegar and steel wool for gray tones, which seems to be the same idea as @adam_lane81 using coffee. The acid in the ketchup probably reacts with the wood like those other kitchen items. It is smart to use what you have on hand for those unique, rusty effects. Those old tricks often work because they change the wood's color in a natural way.