Description
Alkanna Root | Flare up of faded Rio Rosewood
If rosewood furniture has been placed near a window, it often fades and the veneer loses its structure.
As the veneer is often less than 1mm thick, it is risky to sand it down enough to give the veneer its structure back. Sometimes it is unavoidable, e.g. if it has faded unevenly.
Alkanna Root has already been used in past by furniture manufacturers to flame up the look of wood structure of rosewood veneer.
The Alkanna Root must be placed in turpentine, (denatured) alcohol also works, and left to steep for a while like tea.
A teaspoon full is often enough to color a small glass. After drying, a varnish must be applied for protection!
You can determine the exact color by using more or less Alkanna Root and/or letting it steep for longer or shorter.
The veneer must be free of old varnish so that the Alkanna Root can get into the wood, otherwise there may be stains in the places where is still varnish.
Use it in a small spot at the bottom first to make sure you like the result!!!
Preparation:
Take an old, sealable jar, fill it with turpentine, or (denatured) alcohol and add a teaspoon (or more) of Alkanna. Close the jar, shake it well and let it steep. The longer you let it steep, the darker it will become. Shake it time by time.
You can also color varnish, but it will take much longer. The varnish can be used to cover unsightly areas. However, it also covers the structure, so it should be used sparingly.
If it has the color you want, pour it through a sieve.
Alkana is applied generously and the excess is wiped off.
1 Unit is for 200g of Alkanna Root (enough for several lounge chairs)