dye and wood

[laurie sullivan]

when you dye wood, what kind of dye are you using, food or clothing? when your dying wood, do you just soak the wood or use a pressure tank?
inquiring minds.....mine.....want to know.

laurie

 

[mrcook4570]

I use alcohol based aniline dyes to dye the surface of wood after my final sanding. I have also used permanent markers. I'm not sure if food coloring will keep its color very long and I believe clothing dyes must be set by heat.

Stabilized blanks are dyed under a vacuum.

 

[Scott]

Hi Laurie,

Like Stan, I apply color to the wood after turning and sanding. I actually like to use colored pens, such as Sharpies or Prismacolor pens (both by Sanford). Using pens, I can use a couple of different colors on a pen, and blend them together using a couple of drops of alcohol on a paper towel.

I have used some of the aniline dyes, and they work OK, but I didn't feel I got intense enough colors using them. Emory McLaughlin had some luck using silk dyes, and I remember his colors being quite intense.

I hope this helps!

Scott.

 

[Tom McMillan]

I have used some silk dyes---called Dye-Na-Flo as I recall. They're a bit hard to find---look in the art department of a Michael's or Craft store. It's been awhile since I've used them---seems I read once to wet the wood before applying them let dry and sand smooth then apply the dye---hopefully it won't raise the wood as much then.