How to Burn & Stain Wood Aka Shou Sugi Ban

by Jonny Builds

401K92043

Intro: How to Burn & Stain Wood Aka Shou Sugi Ban

Check out the video for further details, and please subscribe to my YouTube channel if you like what you see. Thanks.

Shou Sugi Ban is a Japanese technique, that dates back to the 18th century, for preserving wood. The process is specifically meant for cedar, but works on many species of wood such as cypress, ash, oak, maple, and of course pine like I used. The wood is burned, and this preserves the wood by making it resistant to sunlight, water, and fire. Another benefit is how beautiful of a process it is. It can bring out and highlight the woodgrain in a way that other finishes cannot. When I first researched this process I found photos of shou sugi ban wood combined with brightly colored stains. I tired to find out how it was done, but it seems to be a proprietary process that is not readily shared. I decided to come up with my own process that I am sharing with all of you.

Materials used:

Propane Torch - https://amzn.to/2H6Umra

Minwax Water Based Stain, tinted you color of choice at Lowe's or Home Depot

Sanding Pads - https://amzn.to/2H3bpud
Sanding Block - http://amzn.to/2nixNWQ

Wipe-On Poly - http://amzn.to/2DJ2Ke0

STEP 1: Burn It!

This technique can be accomplished with smaller torches, but I recommend using a large propane torch as pictured, and linked. This will allow for a quicker and more even burn. You'll have much more control, and you will avoid that "splotchy" look you get with a smaller torch.

  1. Its important to test out a few test pieces before burning you actually project wood. Boards will have different grain patterns, and different moisture contents. This affects the burn. Notice in the photos above the difference in the grain pattern from the first two boards vs. the second two. The grain is wider and longer in the first boards. The burn chars much faster, and the end result is not as nice as the tighter grain pattern in the second set of boards.
  2. Hold the torch 12-18 inches above the wood as you burn it. To me it feels like you are painting with fire, and you should "brush" on the char as such. You'll see what I am talking about when you try it, I promise.
  3. There are different levels of char. For the stained shou sugi ban it requires a light touch. In the last picture you can see what an "alligator skin" char looks like. You'll hear the wood crack and pop as you burn it.

STEP 2: Surface Prep

Once the wood cools it is time to prep for staining.

  1. Using a wire brush gently scrap the top surface of the wood to break up the soot and ash. Do not gouge the wood as this will leave visible lines.
  2. For a heavier char as seen in the second photo you can be a bit more aggressive with the wire brushing to remove that top layer of ash.
  3. Wipe the wood down until you have removed as much of the soot as you can. Using an air compressor afterwards helps remove anything left behind.

STEP 3: Stain It!

These stains came from Home Depot. Minwax has a water based clear tint stain that they will mix in colors. There are specific colors mentioned in the brochure, but I was able to get Home Depot to mix colors that aren't in the brochure. Not every store will do this for you.

  1. Make sure not to work on too large of an area. Its important to be able to wipe back the stain before it sets too heavily.
  2. Brush on a coat of stain, and then wipe it back off after 5-10 seconds. Apply more or less stain based on your preferences.

STEP 4: Sanding & Finish

  1. A technique that really makes stain shou sugi ban pop is sanding with 220 grit sand paper in areas you want to pull out some of the natural wood look. The ideal spot is to find where the grain bends.
  2. Sand these spots lightly to pull out the natural wood so that you have the contrast of stain to char to natural.
  3. This is hard to mess up. Experiment with sanding to bring out the grain to your liking. Just remember to have a light touch.
  4. Apply several coats of wipe on poly to finish. This really makes the grain and colors pop.

STEP 5: Shou Sugi Ban in Action

These are the other projects I've made using this process. All of these are videos on my YouTube channel. Check them out, and tell me what you think!

Jonny Builds YouTube

25 Comments

tasmaniandevilisme 1 year ago

So I'm a wood worker, and I make projects out of all kinds of wood, like yard displays, benches, planters, flower wagons and more. So would these color stains work on good pallet wood? I want to make a partial pallet wall for my bedroom wall.

Kfenski 1 year ago

What color is the blue? My husband and I have been trying to find the right blue to match a turquoise kitchen idea we found on Pinterest and I haven’t found one I like yet!!!! Please help!!!! Yes acrylic paint looks amazing but that would be way too expensive to do my kitchen cabinets. The picture below is the color I’m trying to get close to and the blue you used looks perfect.

Pinkaboolilly68 5 years ago

Can you use Unicorn Spit to make the colors more vibrant?

BrandieL7 5 years ago

When u say unicorn spit are u referring to the lube or to another product named unicorn spit?

BrandieL7 5 years ago

My apologies. I'm very new at this stuff. I googled unicorn spit and it brought up what you're talking about. There is also a personal product called unicorn spit so I was a bit confused for a minute.

Johnwhelan152 3 years ago

Have u ever did this to hardwood floors ? Not look to char just wanting to highlight the grain in the wood with dark light

furloughedwooddesigns 3 years ago

Honestly, there's no such thing as too much flame :) I use the small blue hand torches for quick fixes and touch-ups. But for pretty much every project I hit'm with the 20 gal propane tank and torch used for weeds. Now, it may need some practice handling but you'll enjoy it! Also, remember if you burn too long your wood may tend to warp and bend faster. Practice practice practice.

Rifqie Arifson 4 years ago

I need this for my diy bed frame. Those bright blue(look like cyan to me) color match just right!

ThummarwitshW 4 years ago

Thank you for your knowledge and great instruction.I always want to know how to stain wood colorfully. I'll try some now.

oldersir18 5 years ago

The problem of learning off of youtube is, most of those guys learned off of youtube. There are easier, and as good as, or better, methods than this one. I didn't come up with any of the methods I use off of youtube either.
It ain't what you're told, it's what you know.

lorenkinzel 4 years ago

Thanks for sharing that bit of constructive wisdom. I will keep this in mind.

Valvelifter 4 years ago

Great video, very well produced. Very interesting technique. Thanks.

dvdvija 4 years ago

Hi there, thank you so much for your presentation. It was great. You gave me inspiration for my home decor.

RickB116 4 years ago

all said and done, i think i like the look of the burned wood by itself without the stain....just slap on some poly and let it dry as is.....it really made the grain pop!! but great video

dasparasite 5 years ago

would it be recommended to use miniwax water based wood pre conditioner prior to staining?

katnyx 5 years ago

Thank you for the tutorial, I am looking forward to trying this technique. I do have question, I have an old china cabinet, probably made in some barn a 100 years ago out of pine. The top has a wonderful grain and I would like to try this on it and paint the rest. Can you use this technique on old furniture? This is by no means an expensive antique. The old finish sanded off very well. Thank you for your input.

Morglaine 5 years ago

I have been doing Shou Sugi Ban on all kinds of old furniture and it comes out great. You can use tung oil and it looks good.

fstedie 5 years ago

Doesn't the wire brush scratch the hell out of the wood? Even if you go with the grain, I imagine the brush marks would still be visible when done.

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