Hey guys just got done a while ago refinishing a romy stock palm swell and upper hg and I decided to try to stain it russian red. Well I wasn't quite sure about what wood stain to use and didn't feel like trying to mix rit dye so I decided to try staining my set with iodine as I've read many places that that's just what the russians did. I already had them sanded down to 400 grit so they were nice and smooth and a perfect canvas for staining. I have to tell you they turned out so so so nice! I just put one coat of spray on shellac so more coats of that will only make them nicer but I have to tell you the grain just pops out as the light hits it in different ways looks exactly like a soviet furniture set. Sorry I didn't post any pictures as I'm a little technology challelenged when it comes to that kinda thing, when I get a chance I'll have my wife help me.