Trying to find Aquafortis produced by Old Thunder

Mr. A · March 22, 2007, 12:51 PM

I have a fiddleback maple stock that I am going to stain. I looked at a stock stained with Aquafortis that turned out great. Does anyone know where it can be bought? It is made by Old Thunder. Tried to Google it but no luck.

Harry Bonar · March 23, 2007, 10:19 AM

Sir:
I think that's nitric acid.
Get nitric acid and mix it 10 to 1 with water. Whisker your M.L. stock good and apply (use gloves!) - then with the wifes hair dryer (or torch) heat the stock - it will turn pink- don't burn it)
Then use potassium permanganate (it will make a bomb like reaction with the nitric in the open - not on the stock) and soak the stock - it"ll turn deep brown/black.
Neutralize it with soda water and let totally dry.
Then take linseed oil and fine steel wool and work it out until the stripes just show - let the linseed neutralize and then use Tru-Oil. Works great.
Harry B.

Mr. A · March 25, 2007, 08:44 AM

Mr.Bonar:
Thanks for the information. In your opinion, would using birchwood walnut stain be a better choice?
Mr. A

Harry Bonar · March 25, 2007, 08:44 PM

Mr. A:
It will stain the stock but won't produce the " fiddle-back or "tigertail" striped look.
What you're doing with the acid is etching or "burning" the sofe areas of the wood. (these chemicals will need a doctors prescription).
Mike Tocci used to make a solution that was very good and you could call Mountain State Muzzle-loading in Parkersburg W. Va. and talk to Ed Cain about his recommendations - they have several of these finishes.
As you know, curly or striped maple will take treatments many different ways with several different results.
Potassium permanganate will also fade with age in sunlight. You can also treat it with a blowtorch like old Hal Hartely did but you need to be very expert to do it - I've never tried it.
Type Mountain State Muxxle-loading in your computer.
Harry B.

Harry Bonar · March 25, 2007, 08:45 PM

Mr. A:
It will stain the stock but won't produce the " fiddle-back or "tigertail" striped look.
What you're doing with the acid is etching or "burning" the sofe areas of the wood. (these chemicals will need a doctors prescription).
Mike Tocci used to make a solution that was very good and you could call Mountain State Muzzle-loading in Parkersburg W. Va. and talk to Ed Cain about his recommendations - they have several of these finishes.
As you know, curly or striped maple will take treatments many different ways with several different results.
Potassium permanganate will also fade with age in sunlight. You can also treat it with a blowtorch like old Hal Hartely did but you need to be very expert to do it - I've never tried it.
Type Mountain State Muzzle-loading in your computer.
Harry B.

Mr. A · March 26, 2007, 05:28 PM

Mr. Bonar:
I'll give him a call. Thanks!
Mr. A

March 22, 2007, 12:51 PM	#1
Mr. A Junior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 7	Trying to find Aquafortis produced by Old Thunder I have a fiddleback maple stock that I am going to stain. I looked at a stock stained with Aquafortis that turned out great. Does anyone know where it can be bought? It is made by Old Thunder. Tried to Google it but no luck.

March 23, 2007, 10:19 AM	#2
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	stock Sir: I think that's nitric acid. Get nitric acid and mix it 10 to 1 with water. Whisker your M.L. stock good and apply (use gloves!) - then with the wifes hair dryer (or torch) heat the stock - it will turn pink- don't burn it) Then use potassium permanganate (it will make a bomb like reaction with the nitric in the open - not on the stock) and soak the stock - it"ll turn deep brown/black. Neutralize it with soda water and let totally dry. Then take linseed oil and fine steel wool and work it out until the stripes just show - let the linseed neutralize and then use Tru-Oil. Works great. Harry B.

March 25, 2007, 08:44 PM	#4
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	stock Mr. A: It will stain the stock but won't produce the " fiddle-back or "tigertail" striped look. What you're doing with the acid is etching or "burning" the sofe areas of the wood. (these chemicals will need a doctors prescription). Mike Tocci used to make a solution that was very good and you could call Mountain State Muzzle-loading in Parkersburg W. Va. and talk to Ed Cain about his recommendations - they have several of these finishes. As you know, curly or striped maple will take treatments many different ways with several different results. Potassium permanganate will also fade with age in sunlight. You can also treat it with a blowtorch like old Hal Hartely did but you need to be very expert to do it - I've never tried it. Type Mountain State Muxxle-loading in your computer. Harry B.

March 25, 2007, 08:45 PM	#5
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	stock Mr. A: It will stain the stock but won't produce the " fiddle-back or "tigertail" striped look. What you're doing with the acid is etching or "burning" the sofe areas of the wood. (these chemicals will need a doctors prescription). Mike Tocci used to make a solution that was very good and you could call Mountain State Muzzle-loading in Parkersburg W. Va. and talk to Ed Cain about his recommendations - they have several of these finishes. As you know, curly or striped maple will take treatments many different ways with several different results. Potassium permanganate will also fade with age in sunlight. You can also treat it with a blowtorch like old Hal Hartely did but you need to be very expert to do it - I've never tried it. Type Mountain State Muzzle-loading in your computer. Harry B.

March 25, 2007, 08:44 AM	#3
Mr. A Junior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 7	Mr.Bonar: Thanks for the information. In your opinion, would using birchwood walnut stain be a better choice? Mr. A

March 26, 2007, 05:28 PM	#6
Mr. A Junior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 7	Mr. Bonar: I'll give him a call. Thanks! Mr. A