Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 12 hours ago
Ammonia fuming vs wood stain...which gives you better, more natural results? In this video, I test 21 different wood species using lab-grade ammonia to reveal how tannin levels affect color change. You'll see before and after comparisons, learn how to fume wood safely, and discover why black tea pretreatment can amplify results.
We walk through:
* How ammonia fuming works on hardwoods and exotics
* Why fuming can beat traditional wood stain in evenness and depth
* What materials and containers work best for a safe fuming chamber
* Real-world results: white oak, walnut, purpleheart, maple, ash, padauk, and more
* A direct comparison between fumed wood and stained wood
* Why black tea adds tannins and helps unlock darker fuming reactions
You’ll also see where the technique can fail—like why masking with tape didn’t work—and how to compare freshly cut pieces to track changes accurately.
This is a deep look at one of the most fascinating chemical finishing techniques in woodworking.
Want to know if your wood will react?
Curious if tea really helps?
Wondering how dangerous this stuff actually is?
Everything’s here.
To get the Lab Grade ammonia → amzn.to/4nbNZoC
Link to my nesting finishing blocks → youtu.be/xAtpT8DAt38
Check out my website → makethingswithrob.com
Check out my other channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.
Ben. K
Make Things
#MakeThings #MIMS
Ammonia fuming vs wood stain...which gives you better, more natural results? In this video, I test 21 different wood species using lab-grade ammonia to reveal how tannin levels affect color change. You'll see before and after comparisons, learn how to fume wood safely, and discover why black tea pretreatment can amplify results.
We walk through:
* How ammonia fuming works on hardwoods and exotics
* Why fuming can beat traditional wood stain in evenness and depth
* What materials and containers work best for a safe fuming chamber
* Real-world results: white oak, walnut, purpleheart, maple, ash, padauk, and more
* A direct comparison between fumed wood and stained wood
* Why black tea adds tannins and helps unlock darker fuming reactions
You’ll also see where the technique can fail—like why masking with tape didn’t work—and how to compare freshly cut pieces to track changes accurately.
This is a deep look at one of the most fascinating chemical finishing techniques in woodworking.
Want to know if your wood will react?
Curious if tea really helps?
Wondering how dangerous this stuff actually is?
Everything’s here.
To get the Lab Grade ammonia → amzn.to/4nbNZoC
Link to my nesting finishing blocks → youtu.be/xAtpT8DAt38
Check out my website → makethingswithrob.com
Check out my other channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.
Ben. K
Make Things
#MakeThings #MIMS
