Can anyone tell me about using potassium dichromate to stain cherry? I am not concerned about the hazards of using this chemical.
Greg Williams: Mix 1 tsp. of potassium dichromate powder per quart of cold water, and apply evenly to the wood. Allow the wood to dry thoroughly, and apply a fast evaporating solvent such as alcohol to the surface to determine if the color is what you desire. If you need more color, reapply, dry and test until you are satisfied. Allow thorough drying, preferably a day or so, before applying a coating material. Because the color is developed as a reactive process, the result is difficult to predict. If you can test on scrap wood identical to the project piece, do so. It will darken woods containing tannins, with little or no effect on woods (such as boxwood or satinwood) which contain little or no tannins, making it useful for achieving certain effects on marquetry or other mixed wood constructions. For a single wood construction of cherry, I would generally prefer a modern dye, as the results will be more predictable and controllable. Be concerned about the hazards of using the chemical, and wear eye, respiratory, and skin protection when using it.
