Hi Everyone,
Today we’ll be burning some designs in wood with a heat gun. No wood burning tools required besides the heat gun.
This is actually called a chemical wood burn and is so quick and easy to do!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 tbs of ammonium chloride
- 8 tsp of thick it
- 1/2 cup of hot water
- heat gun
- transfer tape
- vinyl
- cutting board
tools:
cricut machine or any machine to cut your designs out of vinyl.
Let’s get started! HOW TO BURN PICTURES ON WOOD IN MINUTES !
I found some cute cutting boards at hobby lobby. You can burn designs on almost any wood surface as long as it’s raw. It can’t have any stain on it or sealers.
Prepping the Design for wood!
I found my design on cricut design space. And got it cut on some stencil vinyl. This was mistake #1 because this vinyl doesn’t have the best adhesion. If I were to re-do this I would definitely use permanent vinyl or something similar.
Once my design was cut I weeded it.
Okay next I applied some transfer tape to the top of my design. Make sure you use heavy duty transfer tape. I had a really hard time with the regular transfer tape not sticking to it the stencil vinyl.
I then flipped my design over and gently pulled away the backing. Be sure to pull off to the side and not up. The works best in my experience. That’s it! You design should now be attached to the transfer tape. Now your design is ready for the wood!
HOW TO BURN THE DESIGN INTO WOOD!
Now let’s add this design to your wood. I flipped my stencil sticky side down and made sure it was really secure. Just like applying a sticker. Then gently start peeling away the transfer tape leaving the design attached to the wood. If this sounds confusing I made a video you can check out here.
Making the Wood Burning Paste!
Okay now the fun part! You’ll need to combine the ingredients below to make a thick paste. Simply stir it all together with a spoon and within seconds it should thicken into a paste.
- 1 tbs of ammonium Chloride – https://amzn.to/3Bo3O43
- 8 tsp food thickener – https://amzn.to/3mG9aUd
- 1/2 cup of hot water
I got both my ammonium chloride and thick it on amazon.
Now apply this paste onto your wood board where the design is. You don’t need to apply a thick layer. Just a nice and even layer.
BURNING The design!
Let your paste dry all the way and remove your stencil vinyl. Then use a heat gun and hold it in place about 1/2 inch away to burn the designs in the wood. Careful don’t hold it too close for too long as it can actually burn dark spots in the wood. Depending on your heat gun this may take longer or faster. I have a cheap embossing heat gun so it took a bit longer.
That’s it! Isn’t it easy! I can’t imagine having to use a wood burner to burn this all out.
Here’s a video version of this DIY
Here’s how it looks! I LOVE IT! Perfect to make custom christmas gifts or birthday gifts!
that’s all for today!
xx,
Lily
Is it safe to put this paste on my kids hands to burn a hand print on something?
NO Please don’t do that. First off it’s a chemical that I wouldn’t want on my skin for too long and It needs to get really hot to burn out a design. That would mean you would need to burn the skin to get a design. Sounds really painful. Why not try a sticker stencil with some skin paint?
Actually, the chemical is commonly used in hair dye, body wash, shampoos, aquarium treatment, and even used as a food additive and fertilizer for rice fields. I don’t know what concentration would be safe for on a child’s hands, but all she would be doing is making a handprint with the gel onto the wood. The heat wouldn’t touch her child at all. The gel has to dry on the wood before heating. By then, the little one’s hands would be washed and away from a heat gun. I hope this helps.
The stencil you made on Cricut on permanent vinal. Can the stencil be used over and over again. I need to do 110 woodburnings with the same image
I think you should be able to reuse it. Depends on how fast the sticker wears off.
Can I use the Transfer Tape on metal surfaces like for example, fuel Jerry cans for sign spray painting job?
I haven’t tried that not sure it would work. Maybe give it a try?
Use the vinyl fr Cricut machine but don’t peel it off, or use a type of material that can be cut with the Cricut to have as a stencil… use tape to adhere the stencil to the board on the outer edges then u can use the stencil over and over again
Can you save the extra in an airtight container?
I’m not sure sorry tammy. I just tossed mine after I was you. You can try it though.
If your worried. Get a small latex glove for your child. Dip, press and remove. Easy Peasy. Finding a glove that small might be a challenge a safer way would be scan their hand and make a a stencil using the circuit.
Hi, can you buy the items needed locally? Or do you have to order online? Thank you, love your tutorial….galen
I couldn’t find it locally. Thank you Happy you like it
Just seen this and it looks wonderful! Can you tell me is it safe to use as a chopping board after the image has been burned in or is it for decorative purposes only?
Once I mix and have some leftover can I store to use again?
How long will the gel last for before you need to make a new batch. Also how do you store the grl
How long does it usually take to dry
Can regular stencil be used, not from a cricket machine? Is there odor involved?
I’m It’ll work too. I don’t remember if there is an odor. Sorry it’s been a while. I’m sure there was a slight burning smell.
Can I use tiki fluid to wood burn my design
I’ve never heard of that not sure if that’s safe
How many batches of paste do you get from one jar of aluminum chloride?
No idea. I’m sure it’ll last for a while.
Hi! I’m about to measure the ingredients for paste. First converting unit “cup” to “dl” and l realize that l don’t know if you use US cups or UK cups.
2,37 dl vs 2,84 dl. Sooo, l’m going to wing it waiting for your reply! 🤩 Thank you!
Sorry for the late reply. It’s US cups.
I think it should work the same
AWE what a sweet gift! Glad it worked for you. Happy to hear!
I’m not sure. I tossed mine.
No it wouldn’t sorry. It wouldn’t get hot enough 🙁
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Could you use a heat press instead of a heat gun?
Not sure that would work because it would probably burn the rest of the wood as well. I think a heat gun gives you more control over the design.