bleaching walnut

[Peter D'Attomo]

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

 

[john lucas]

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

 

[Peter D'Attomo]

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, Thank you for your insight, I will attempt it.

 

[Pete Blair]

Bleach

Peter, there is an article in AAW volume 14.3:31 on making your own bleach.

 

[Peter D'Attomo]

Peter, there is an article in AAW volume 14.3:31 on making your own bleach.

Thank you, will take a look at that issue.

 

[James Seyfried]

Peter, there is an article in AAW volume 14.3:31 on making your own bleach.

I am having trouble finding the article. perhaps I'm searching wrong. Is this volume 14, issue 03, page 31 (1999 Fal 14:3)?

 

[hockenbery]

James,

much newer!

Article by Gary Guenther

Wood bleach, "Make Your Own Wood Bleach," 28.1:50-51

May 2014

Al

 

[Shawn Pachlhofer]

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.

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

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.

 

[Pete Blair]

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.

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

 

[pat miller]

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

"Rooto" was the brand I used- household drain opener -100% lye- 16 oz at True Value Hardware for $5.00

 

[Betty Scarpino]

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.