I've been reading about using Potassium Dichromate as a "stain" on mahogany on the woodworking forums in preparation for a camera project. It's not really a stain, but an oxidizer that darkens the wood. It was used quite a bit in the old days, as it is less likely to be blotchy and gives a nicer result, (it doesn't muddy the grain like a conventional stain).
Unfortunately, it's also toxic, carcinogenic, and can be absorbed through the skin or respiratory system. That kinda puts me off on using it. But it also makes be wonder, as it was used on many of our older cameras and other wooden ephemera, is there a danger of absorbing it through handling equipment that has an oil finish instead of being sealed by lacquer? Is it an issue when refinishing cameras? From what I've read, it doesn't break down much over time...
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