Hi John,
Do you have tips on how to use India ink as a finish for the chair?
Linda Smith
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Hi Linda,
Yes,
Sand and make pretty before applying the ink.
Clean off all the sawdust and wipe down. I used mineral spirits.
I used Speedball Super Black India Ink. Pour a little into a small cup to make using it easier. I used a 1 pint deli container like the kind cream cheese comes in.
Brush on the ink using a 1", 1.5" or 2" brush. Cheap china bristle is fine, you will most likely throw it away after. Start with the chair upside down. Start on the bottom of the seat. This will give you a place to get acquainted with how the ink goes on early in the process. Apply the ink sparingly. cover the underneath surfaces and then flip the chair over and coat the whole chair. Usually the ink dries so fast you can apply the next coat right away, starting on the bottom again. Apply three coats total. You will most likely use only a few ounces of the ink. I was surprised how little I used.
Let the ink dry overnight before applying wax. I used the Lost Art Press Soft Wax 2.0 recipe. Applying the wax with a gray Scotch Brite abrasive like pad. Wipe the wax off ~10 minutes after applying the wax.
You may notice the wax pulling off some of the pigment. Don't fret. Wipe the wax off thoroughly and it will build a matt sheen. I used a huck towel That Chris Schwarz recommends. Wiping it down well will remove any stray pigment. ( I gave it one last wipe with a paper towel)
