I manufacture a few items that I use this finish with, so the number of pieces to do is usually 200+. I made a dipping tank since it is faster and more consistent than paining the solution on.
I'm ready to give up... I try a test piece in the solution and it comes out the exact light brown I am looking for, or I add a little vinegar to adjust the mix to achieve what I am after. I then dunk the real pieces and they come out with a purple tint. Been chasing my tail on this for 3 months now...
I am currently mixing 1 gallon steel wool, 10 of the 12 'pieces' that come in the steel wool pack (size 0000), and 30 black tea bags. I let it sit for 3 weeks.
The only two reasons I can come up with that change the color between my sample and actual:
-I dilute the finished solution 50/50 with vinegar to get the color I am after since straight solution is way too dark. By adding new potent vinegar, maybe something is being reactivated and as time passes (letting the sample dry) between sample piece and actual?... I am going to try using water to dilute it instead...
-Or, when the solution is sitting and waiting between sample and actual piece, exposure to air is causing something to change?
Either way, it is EXTREMELY frustrating to make batch after batch of this stuff and dilute the solution to the perfect color, just to see the actual pieces come out purple... I feel like I have exhausted every variable.
Any help or advice from your experience would be appreciated.
DW