Construction is complete and waiting for finishing. We chose a
non-traditional stain--roofing tar mixed with turpentine. This was suggested by
Phil Laird in rec.woodworking (www.swanriverfurniture.com.au)
If you know your history of chemistry you wouldn't be as surprised by
this as many people are. Common tar has a high percentage of aniline,
and aniline compounds. Most aniline dyes commonly used in wood stains
today were originally isolated from coal tar.
This stain makes a nice brassy brown color on oak that looks a bit like
aged oak or sunbleached fumed oak. It is dirt cheap, very easy to use,
and very forgiving. It also seems to be very color-fast and fade resistant.
