• About
    • Hi! I’m Teresa
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
  • Blogging Resources
  • Contact Me
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
We Speak DIY

We Speak DIY

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Build
    • Home renovation
    • Re-purpose
    • Scrap Lumber Projects
  • Craft
    • Paint
    • Sew
    • Seasonal
      • Birthday
      • Christmas
      • Fall
      • Halloween
      • Spring DIY
  • Decorate
    • Inspiration
    • Mood Boards
    • Seasonal
      • Birthday
      • Christmas
      • Fall
      • Halloween
      • Spring
  • Clean
  • Organize
  • Seasonal
    • Birthday
    • Christmas
    • Fall
    • Spring
  • Shop

August 19, 2016 · Leave a Comment

HOW TO USE STEEL WOOL AND VINEGAR TO MAKE WEATHERED WOOD

Crafts· Decorate· Home renovation

wooden plank wall

I promised I would share the steel wool and vinegar stain I used to create the weathered wood boards used for our wood plank accent wall.  This recipe is nothing new…it’s been around for a long time.  I first saw it about 5 years ago during a google binge, since then I’ve seen different variations pop up regularly.  This is an easy, simple way to weather/stain board naturally.

Here’s What You Need

weathering boards supplies

  • Steel wool (size 0000 is what I used – one per 1 ½ cup.  But I would have used any size I had on hand – the #0000 size oxidizes quickly!)
  • Apple cider vinegar (I used the cheapest I could find!) You can use any type of vinegar but remember different types will produce different
  • finishes…experiment!
  • Tea bags (regular tea bags I purchased at the dollar store! You’re using the tea to add more tannin to the wood)
  • Gloves (This will stain your hands and nails)
  • Paint brushes (I used a couple of the cheapest brushes at the home improvement store)

apple cider vinegar for weathering wood

A little of this goes a long way.  I used about 3 cups of vinegar and three steel wool pads for all my boards.  Place the steel wool in a plastic or glass container.  I recommend something with a lid so there are no accidental spills.  Because this will oxidize, I added holes to the lid of the jar.  (While I’ve never had it happen, nothing can dampen enthusiasm for a project more than having to clean up a vinegar and steel wool explosion!)  Pour in the vinegar and let it sit.  I waited 24 hours.

 

Here’s What You Do

  1. Brew your tea.  I used four tea bags for three cups of water.
  2. Brush the tea onto your boards and let them sit for about an hour.
  3. Brush the apple cider vinegar solution onto your boards.
  4. Wait for the magic!  Weathered wood will appear before your very eyes!
  5. Wipe the wood when it dries because the iron acetate leaves what looks like a fine, powdery rust like residue!
  6. Apply wax or protective coating if desired.

Be sure to use gloves and protect the surface you’re working on…even though it’s vinegar and tea, this stuff is strong!  It stains hands, wood, plastic…you get the idea.

Tea apple cider vinegar and steel wool for weathering wood

Why does It work?

Most wood already have naturally occurring tannin in varying degrees.  Tea has tannin and brushing your wood with the tea adds additional tannin. The more tannin, the deeper the stain.

Adding the steel wool to the vinegar causing oxidization which makes the steel rust.  This creates iron acetate.  When you brush the iron acetate on the wood with the tannin, it turns the wood a dark color.

Vinegar and steel wool wood at 5 minutes

Tips I’ve Learned

  • This stain does not penetrate the wood deeply, so be careful if you sand.
  • If you want a darker stain – add a bit of dark pigment!
  • If you want a lighter color – skip the tea and just brush with the iron acetate.
  • Be sure to test on your wood scraps before you stain the entire project.

But most importantly, have fun with this and experiment, experiment, experiment!  Create your own weathered wood in different shades and tones!

vinegar and steel wool weathered wood at 15 minutes

vinegar and steel wool weathered wood after 30 minutes

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Don’t miss out!

Previous Post: « WE GAVE OUR KITCHEN ISLAND A CUSTOM LOOK
Next Post: BUILD A SIMPLE WOOD COUNTERTOP ON A SMALL BUDGET »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Thanks for coming by!

Hi. I'm Teresa and like most, I wear several hats. I'm a wife, mother, friend and daughter. I love my life and the people in my life. I'm glad I get to share one of the things I love to do with you - improving my home by fixing what's broken, building what's needed, beautifying my surroundings and having fun while I'm doing it (for the most part!) I speak DIY and I'd love to talk to you!

Sign Up to Have We Speak DIY Posts Delivered Directly to Your InBox

Search by Category

POPULAR POSTS

scrap wood project

Scrap Wood Project: How to Build a Chalkboard from Scrap Wood

custom etched containers

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN ETCHED GLASS CONTAINERS

console table complete

DIY SCRAP LUMBER OUTDOOR CONSOLE TABLE

Use Craigslist Wisely - If it feels Weird - leave

HOW TO BUY AND SELL ON CRAIGSLIST SAFELY

Latest Scrap Wood Projects

scrap wood project

Scrap Wood Project: How to Build a Chalkboard from Scrap Wood

Anyone who works with wood on a regular basis (and is a little bit of a hoarder!) knows about scrap wood.  It grows, it multiplies, it takes over spaces and it is really hard to throw away however, it just feels wrong to get rid of something that could be made beautiful!    But, I've ...
Read More about Scrap Wood Project: How to Build a Chalkboard from Scrap Wood

Outdoor bench from scrap wood

How to Build an Outdoor Bench the Easy Way

Growing up, we spent a lot of time on the front porch.  Neighbors walking by would stop to catch up on the latest gossip. Kids made a game of jumping up and down the steps. Without a doubt, our porch was a popular gathering place. My dad built that porch and all the seating that accommodated ...
Read More about How to Build an Outdoor Bench the Easy Way

Planks for Boo-tiful Halloween Ghosts Finished

DIY EASY BOO-TIFUL WOOD PLANK HALLOWEEN GHOST TRIO

Hey ya’ll!  I’ve been missing in action for a couple of weeks…had to take care of a couple of family things.  I’ve missed interacting with by fellow DIYers and I’m so glad to be back! I'm participating in some awesome link parties with several of my awesome blog sisters over the next few weeks!  ...
Read More about DIY EASY BOO-TIFUL WOOD PLANK HALLOWEEN GHOST TRIO

completed plant stand

THE EASIEST DIY PLANT STAND EVER

Let me first say that I do not have a green thumb...but I do love plants!  And I like the way plants add color and texture to our front porch.  So one of the projects for our front porch are plant stands for the plants that have the willpower to survive my planting skills.  This is the easiest DIY ...
Read More about THE EASIEST DIY PLANT STAND EVER

More Posts from this Category

Latest From Crafts

How to Make Airtight Glass Container

How to Turn Ordinary Jars into Airtight Glass Containers

Before we began working on the pantry, a hodgepodge of containers purchased over the years held all our staples. Some of them still functioned well, others…not so well! One of my pantry goals was ...
Read More about How to Turn Ordinary Jars into Airtight Glass Containers

Paint an Outdoor Rug

How to Paint an Outdoor Rug the Easy Way

About a year ago, I bought seagrass matting for our front porch. I was on a tight budget and at the time, it was the best solution I could find. But the harsh Arizona sun and heat has not been kind to ...
Read More about How to Paint an Outdoor Rug the Easy Way

Wicker chairs before and after painting

WE PAINTED OUR $7 CHAIRS – THE EASY WAY

If you’ve been following my other projects, you already know I hate to sand. Second to sanding is painting! So whenever there’s painting to be done, I call in my husband. He is the resident painter in ...
Read More about WE PAINTED OUR $7 CHAIRS – THE EASY WAY

wooden plank wall

HOW TO USE STEEL WOOL AND VINEGAR TO MAKE WEATHERED WOOD

I promised I would share the steel wool and vinegar stain I used to create the weathered wood boards used for our wood plank accent wall.  This recipe is nothing new…it’s been around for a long time.  ...
Read More about HOW TO USE STEEL WOOL AND VINEGAR TO MAKE WEATHERED WOOD

More Posts from this Category

Welcome

Stay up to date

Sponsor

Categories

Image Credit

All the images displayed in the Beloved theme are available in our shop here.

When you take a wrong turn with your partner in cr When you take a wrong turn with your partner in crime @lolitafiles and end up at your new favorite diner! #popandsonsdiner  #besties #adventures #fam #weekend
When your bread pudding is actually a mountain! When your bread pudding is actually a mountain!
I love making pizzas with my family. Our pizza ma I love making pizzas with my family.  Our pizza making is a lot like our life.  A little messy, not always pretty but delicious and a lot of fun! .
.
.
.
.
.#familytime #messytime #delicious #buildingafamily #ilovethem #bonding #trainthemyoung
When you go in search of the perfect gray for your When you go in search of the perfect gray for your bedroom walls and end up bringing home over a HUNDRED swatches!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#wespeakdiy #paint #bedroomwalls #perfectgrey #perfectgray #sherwinwilliams #bedroomoasis #choices  #notmyjob #honeydolist #thiswilltakeawhile
Life is what you make of it. You can complain and Life is what you make of it.  You can complain and wish for something better or you can do something.  Whether materials, relationships, businesses - make your life better...build something!
.
.
.
.
.#build #livelife #nocomplaints #makeitbetter #buildsomething #dosomething #claimit #zigziglar
Chairs and stools for the patio makeover are here Chairs and stools for the patio makeover are here from @target.  Don't you love that red- stay tuned!
.
.
.
.
#patiomakeover #backyardgoals #popofcolor #red #unboxing  #target #targetstyle🎯 #outdoordining #outdoorliving
Thanks to my better half @antoinecoffer for finish Thanks to my better half @antoinecoffer for finishing up the pergola in the hot sun!  We've already had two parties and it was a hit! Next, plans to add some color and a furniture revamp. .
.
.
.
#backyardgoals #backyard_dreams #backyardfun #summerfun #outdoorfun #backyardreno #reuse #furnitureredo #furnituremakeover #diycushions #sewyourown
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

Log in as an administrator and view the Instagram Feed settings page for more details.

Footer

All you need is love. And coffee. Must have coffee.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
When you take a wrong turn with your partner in cr When you take a wrong turn with your partner in crime @lolitafiles and end up at your new favorite diner! #popandsonsdiner  #besties #adventures #fam #weekend
When your bread pudding is actually a mountain! When your bread pudding is actually a mountain!
I love making pizzas with my family. Our pizza ma I love making pizzas with my family.  Our pizza making is a lot like our life.  A little messy, not always pretty but delicious and a lot of fun! .
.
.
.
.
.#familytime #messytime #delicious #buildingafamily #ilovethem #bonding #trainthemyoung
When you go in search of the perfect gray for your When you go in search of the perfect gray for your bedroom walls and end up bringing home over a HUNDRED swatches!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#wespeakdiy #paint #bedroomwalls #perfectgrey #perfectgray #sherwinwilliams #bedroomoasis #choices  #notmyjob #honeydolist #thiswilltakeawhile
Load More... Follow on Instagram
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

Log in as an administrator and view the Instagram Feed settings page for more details.

Customized © 2023 · Create, Make, Do It Yourself by We Speak Diy