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How Does Ebonizing Wood Work?

Ebonizing wood is the process or turning wood a black or ebony color. Ebonozing is not painting; it is not a surface coat of black. It is called ebonozing, not just for its color, but because it makes wood look similar to the rich color of the exotic species of wood known as ebony. There are several ways to ebonize wood.

DIY Iron Stain
- Steel is an iron-based metal very prone to rust. Rust, in fact, is iron-oxide. While dry rust has an orange-brown hue, it can break down into a gray or black which can be the basis for an ebonizing stain. Mac Simmons of Woodcraft has a recipe to make your own. Use any common steel such as steel wool or a handful of nails. Steel wool will rust fast. If you have nails that are already rusty, they will speed the process along. Place a handful of your steel objects in a jar of regular kitchen-use vinegar. Set a lid loosely over the jar allowing some of the chemical vapor to escape. Monitor the progress until the stain is the darkness you want.
Chemical Reaction
- Some woods contain a chemical that, when activated, automatically turns an ebony color. These chemicals are called tannins. Most woods do not have them in high enough concentrations to invoke ebonization, but a few woods do, such as oak and walnut. The DIY stain of iron oxide and vinegar provides a dark stain for any species of wood, but the very same technique applied to high-tannin woods creates the best results because the iron-oxide causes a chemical reaction with the natural tannins. It doesn't just saturate the grain with stain; it causes the wood to change color.
Tinting Dark Stain
- While near-black stain is difficult to find, dark brown or walnut stain is common. Most stains are similar in that they are a mineral hue emulsified in a medium that distributes the hue. The main difference from paint being the that the medium saturates into the wood rather than adhering and drying on the wood. Hues may be very similar from one stain to another or even from stain to paint. So, if you have a walnut wood stain, you can tint it darker and it will provide an appropriate medium to soak into the wood. You can buy powdered black pigment at art stores or specialty paint stores.
Proprietary Systems
- There are a number of companies that make proprietary systems specifically for ebonizing. While such proprietary systems tend to be more expensive, they come with more information about a variety of applications. One potentially compelling option in proprietary systems is the water-based ebonizing stain. Most water-based mediums are milder and present less concern about skin contact, toxicity and environmental contamination.

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