• January Turning Challenge: Thin-Stemmed Something! (click here for details)
  • Conversations are now Direct Messages (click here for details)
  • Congratulations to Scott Gordon for "Orb Ligneus" being selected as Turning of the Week for January 20, 2025 (click here for details)
  • Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.

bleaching walnut

Peter D'Attomo

Peter D'Attomo

Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
271
Likes
131
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
IMAG1286.jpgIMAG1287.jpgIMAG1288.jpg

I've finished a 14" walnut platter and let it sit for a month before finish sanding & sealing. The color has darkened significantly and I'm looking to lighten it up. Has anyone bleached walnut or is there an alternate process without loosing detail? I have sanded it but still dark and don't see the dark grain very much. 😕
Thank you
 
Alan bleaching walnut is fun. It will go all the way to a creamy almost white with enough applications. It always looks whiter than it will be after each application. I wipe it down with water after 1 or 2 applications to see what it might look like with finish. It says I. The instructions to use a neutralizer. I never have and it seems to work just fine. I forgot to say this is using a two part wood bleach. Household bleach doesn't work. P
 
john lucas said:
Alan bleaching walnut is fun. It will go all the way to a creamy almost white with enough applications. It always looks whiter than it will be after each application. I wipe it down with water after 1 or 2 applications to see what it might look like with finish. It says I. The instructions to use a neutralizer. I never have and it seems to work just fine. I forgot to say this is using a two part wood bleach. Household bleach doesn't work. P
Click to expand...

John, Thank you for your insight, I will attempt it.
 
you'll need lye (pure lye is available as a drain cleaner from hardware stores)

and you'll need a very strong hydrogen peroxide - the article mentioned recommends Bacquacil Step 2 (it's a swimming pool product)

so for about $25 you can make up enough wood bleach to last quite a while.

I used it to lighten some holly I had that was white, but not as white as I wanted and it did very well.
 
About 3 years ago one of our club members experimented with a product called "Quick White" by Salon care. Comes as a powder (maybe paste) in a bucket and there is also an activator. This is a professional hair care product and I think he purchased from Sally Haircare (professional outlet for beauticians). Seem to me he had turned walnut white with it and was experimenting with time spans to do the job.
 
Shawn Pachlhofer said:
you'll need lye (pure lye is available as a drain cleaner from hardware stores)

and you'll need a very strong hydrogen peroxide - the article mentioned recommends Bacquacil Step 2 (it's a swimming pool product)

so for about $25 you can make up enough wood bleach to last quite a while.

I used it to lighten some holly I had that was white, but not as white as I wanted and it did very well.
Click to expand...

Shawn, you say drain cleaner, I had heard that some have metal in them which is not ideal for use in making a wood bleach. What product do you actually use?
Pete
 
Two-part wood bleach can be purchased online. Klean-Strip brand. It's about $70 for the gallon -- but probably less expensive, and certainly easier and safer -- than making your own. It lasts for a long time. Your club could buy a gallon and share. Or, you may find someone who has the two-part wood bleach you could try. If you live near Indianapolis, I'd give you enough to try.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top