Best Stain for Figured Black Walnut?

[Secesh]

I’ve never worked with Black Walnut before, only Maple and use Aquafortis on it. I have a real nice plank of Black Walnut with some nice figure I will be using for a half stock I’m putting together. For those of you who work with Walnut, what type of stain have you been most impressed with?

 

[Beaverman2]

Just oil the stock, no need to stain it, especially with figure

 

[springfield art]

I agree; don't ruin a good thing by 'staining' a nice walnut figure; do what Beaverman2 said!

 

[54ball]

Walnut is rather porous. The grain needs to be filled usually with a dark filler. Depending on the wood it may need a little color. Think of the Winchester Red stocks.
Filling the grain is really important with walnut. Just finished without filling the grain with a dark filler.....
It can look rather dead and boring.

 

[martin9]

I've used alkanet root oil....imparts some nice depth to the figure.

 

[Secesh]

I’m kinda leaning toward Tung Oil. I’ve used Tru Oil a lot but I’d like to try something different.

 

[martin9]

And I agree with 54ball. I've used fillers and I've also sanded the stock when applying the first coat of finish. I just wet sand with 400 grit with tung oil on it. It makes a slurry and fills the grain nicely. Let it dry and buff off gently with red scotchbrite....then apply finish as usual.

 

[martin9]

Tung oil is MUCH better.....I've got no use for tru-oil anymore. The best stuff is called circa 1850 pure tung oil.......I might have to double check that but think that's right. Very forgiving to apply and makes a beautiful finish.

 

[waksupi]

No stain, just a good oil finish. By building layers and steel wooling back a few times, the pores fill nicely. I've done it with hundreds of figured stocks.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

FWIW I use the 'Comfortably Numb', aka Mike Brooks, idea for spraying the to be finished stock with flat black spray paint, let dry and rub it all off less that which is in the pores. Really adds POP to whatever grain lines is there or that can be SEEN afterwards! On really porous walnut, I'll wet-sand with 1 to 2 oil coats, then do the spray black treatment (if desired on that stock).

 

[Stykbow]

Do this, then oil it. You won’t be disappointed.

 

[Phil Coffins]

I’ll agree a nice piece of walnut doesn’t need stain just a nice oil finish.
BD803678-D9E2-4041-B5CF-43990C7F7B8D by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

 

[ZUG]

Go here <SB McWilliams Alkanet> and read about alkanet root stains and finishes.

 

[reddogge]

I did this stock so many years ago that I can't remember what was used on it except for linseed oil. I don't remember filling the grain either. I know the WW2 M1 stocks were just dipped in tung oil and took on that nice reddish brown tone through oxidation. I believe Chestnut Ridge makes a military rifle finish similar.

 

[deerstalkert]

for most black walnut in a lessor value like this forearm of a .410 unmentionable i use tru-oil because i know what it will turn out to look like.
Turkish etc. walnut i use BLO. but time is plentiful for me.

 

[James Kibler]

Some walnut can really benefit from staining and adjusting the color. On the other hand, a really piece of walnut doesn't necessarily need staining. The coloration varies widely within the species and how it is dried. Some can be very pale and weak looking if just finished with oil.

If you choose to stain, subtle is usually best. You can use aniline dyes or you can also tint the finish with aniline dyes. I generally adjust things as I build a finish to get the color I like.

Jim

 

[Secesh]

Go here <SB McWilliams Alkanet> and read about alkanet root stains and finishes.

I read over his website. I’ve sent him a few questions I have but do intend to try his product. One of the best finishes I’ve seen.

 

[springfield art]

I did this stock so many years ago that I can't remember what was used on it except for linseed oil. I don't remember filling the grain either. I know the WW2 M1 stocks were just dipped in tung oil and took on that nice reddish brown tone through oxidation. I believe Chestnut Ridge makes a military rifle finish similar.View attachment 247696View attachment 247697View attachment 247698

I've used Chestnut Ridge, like it a lot, but recently read where it was DISCONTINUED! if that's true!

 

[James Kibler]

Keep in mind that alkenate root has really bad light-fastness. It turns brown with little exposure to the sun.

 

[tenngun]

I’ve not done it and have had light walnut and black as coal.
I understand a red stain was common on German guns, but don’t know it as a fact. You w try some inside the barrel channel
But take some time and oil your stained spot to see if you like it before you decide