Replies

1. 
   AlanTurner | May 10, 2003 09:54pm | #1

   That is a matter of taste, of course.  I did 3 sets of french doors, storm doors, for our home 3 years ago, and stained with potasium dichromate, which I would not tend to use indoors.  Looks great.  Spar varnish over that, and haven't yet needed to touch up or recoat.  Here is a pix.

   
1. 
   chuckdua | May 10, 2003 10:40pm | #2

   S4S,

   Beautiful, classy job!

   Dumb question #254: Where would I get potasium dichromate? How applied?

                            #255: Should I bother to finish off [both stain and varnish] the underside of my table top? I suppose that's overkill. The one or two decent tables we have in the house don't, but this is for use on a covered deck as well as out in the open on a patio.

   Thanks, Chuck

1. 
   AlanTurner | May 12, 2003 02:12pm | #3

   I wouldn't stain the underside, but I would finish it equally to the finish on the top.  This should help control unwanted wood movement by equalizing it on both sides.  As to the source of supply?. I know it was mail order, and it could have been Woodworker's Supply, or possibly VanDyks.  Maybe Garrett Wade?  It is sometimes called potash of ??, or something like that.  Aren't senior moments great?

   Edit:  BTW, this is definitely a summer job.  The potassium dichromate is highly toxic.  Heavy metals, I think.  Good chemical resistant rubber gloves, a windy day, stand upwind, extreme care, etc.  It is a granular product, mixed with water.  Looks like Tang.  Many will not use this chemical for its danger, and I wouldn't blame them a bit.  It is a classic older way of getting a very nice color on mahogany.  They say it can be used on other woods as well.  I played with it a bit on cherry, but did not care for the result.

   Edited 5/12/2003 7:40:14 AM ET by s4s

2. 
   Bill5507 | May 12, 2003 04:18pm | #5

   Chuck,

   GarrettWade.com definately carries this.  Use caution as this stuff is major league caustic, but as you can see in a previous post in this thread the results are outstanding.

   Bill

1. 
   chuckdua | May 12, 2003 09:36pm | #6

   Thanks to all of you for your help regarding the staining of mahogany. I really appreciate it. Your insights have been very helpful.

   Chuck

2. 
   sailalex | May 12, 2003 02:45pm | #4

   One point to consider when using mahogany outdoors is the amount of sun it will get. I have some mahogany on a sailboat that is in the sun 12 months a year ( Charleston SC) and after three years it is almost "blonde". It is not bad on the boat as there is a lot of other mahogany that is covered with a canvas cover and still dark, but if mahogany gets full sun, it will become lighter.