Traditional Fumed Finish for White Oak

A simple approach to this classic finishing technique.

- Willie Sandry

Finishing options are abound in the woodworking world, however with Arts & Crafts style pieces, you need to get the finish right to complete the feel of the piece. This isn't a project made from birch plywood, where an opaque finish might suffice. There are several finishing schedules I'm happy with, but a traditional piece such as the Limbert No. 239 Tabouret on page 34, I decided to use ammonia fumed finish. Fumed finishes were synonymous with the Arts & Crafts movement over a hundred years ago and are still being explored to this day.

Preparation is Key

The first step is to tent the table in a fuming chamber. I scabbed together a frame from strips of plywood and covered it with clear plastic sheeting. Be sure to tape the seams to seal in the fumes.

The second step is to procure safety gear for yourself as it is paramount when working with concentrated ammonium. Don't even crack the lid open until you're wearing a respirator with cartridges approved for organic vapors and have donned splash-proof googles. If you can't find your old googles from chemistry class, swim googles will work in a pinch.

Tips and Tricks

SELECT THE BEST PIECES TO USE.

Remember that with a fumed finish, we're using ammonia to react with the tannins in wood. The goal is to bring out the character of the wood itself, rather than obscure the grain. This process won't hide blemishes in the wood, so select your best white oak pieces for fumed projects. One more word of caution when fuming white oak .. if there's any sapwood in your finished project it won't darken the same way heartwood does.