- 1). Pour a few cups of vinegar into a plastic or glass jar. Use a jar with a plastic lid, as it will not rust. White and apple cider vinegars are best for this stain because they are inexpensive and react quickly. Other vinegars may form different colors.
- 2). Pull apart a piece of steel wool so that it is not tightly compacted. Looser steel wool reacts more quickly with vinegar because the vinegar has more surface area on which to react. Fine steel wool, like a 0000 grade wool, is better for this project for the same reason: the vinegar has more surface area to react. Make sure that the steel wool is really made from steel, or the stain won't form. Don't use wools with oils or other added substances. Rinse steel wool in warm water to remove any oils added to prevent rusting.
- 3). Put the steel wool into the jar, covering it with vinegar. Cover the steel wool completely to prevent rust. Wait for at least a day. If possible, leave the wool in the jar for several days.
- 4). Pour the vinegar solution into another jar, and try to not transfer bits of the steel wool into the other jar. You may want to strain the liquid through a coffee filter if you see many floating bits in the stain. Use the liquid like any other stain by wiping or brushing it onto your piece.
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