Dyeing Wood?

[wickford]

Just wondering if anyone can guide to a relatively simple method for dyeing wood? I have a nice supply of curly and fiddleback maple and I'd like to try altering the color, but I'm not sure where to start...??

Any suggestions or recommendations would be most appreciated!!

Thanks!!

Jeff

 

[mrcook4570]

Turn, sand, wipe on dye, wipe off excess, repeat to achieve desired level of saturation, let dry, apply finish.

 

[greenmtnguy]

Food coloring. Try here
http://www.sugarcraft.com/
I've used Americolor 3/4 0z bottles

 

[SuperDave]

Yeah, food coloring. I use the private label liquid coloring from the grocery store.

D

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[Fred]

Definitely recommend the use of food colorings. They are inexpensive, usually finish friendly, readily available, and most user friendly. Sugarcraft has a very nice selection too.

 

[ldb2000]

Just be careful to use food coloring without sugar (the gels with sugar don't penetrate and tend to glop up) I use McCormick Food coloring/Egg Dye and apply with a papertowl after I do the final sanding then finish with CA as normal

 

[LabTrnr]

I read somewhere that food color dyes fade after too much exposure to UV light, haven't tried any so I don't know first hand. There are aniline dyes available, they may be more light fast.

 

[fernhills]

Hi,i use Anniline dye,its made for dyeing wood. I use it a lot,i get good results when i use it to dye light highly figured woods,or light spalted woods. Carl

 

[terrymiller]

Leather dyes work very well for wood as well.

 

[Glass Scratcher]

Originally posted by terrymiller

Leather dyes work very well for wood as well.

Yes, I've had shoe leather once or twice and it can be darn tasty! []

 

[nava1uni]

I use acrylic model paints. I apply it with a lint free cloth; then use a clean one to wipe off the excess. I do this 2-4 times until I get the depth I want. I then apply wipe on poly using a lint free cloth in a manner similar to friction polish. I put on 3 to 4 coats. Let it set up for a while then use paste wax and polish to a nice finish.

 

[badger]

I've been experimenting with Leather dyes as well and they work well.

 

[wickford]

Thanks all for these great ideas!! I have some food coloring here so I'll try that first...

Can anyone provide a source for that anniline dye? Might try that next if I'm not successful with food coloring...I have a bunch of very curly maple, so I'm anxious to see what different colors will look like...I hope I can get the results of some of the pics that were posted in this thread!!

Again thanks!! I'll post pics when I get one made!

 

[ScribbleSticks]

Try Woodcraft.....
http://www.woodcraft.com/search/search.aspx?query=transtint

 

[fernhills]

Hi,you can get Trans Tint dye from Woodcraft,it is the same as anniline dye,i`m not positive that it is pronounced that way but its simular.Remember a little goes a looooonnnggg way,when it is just pens. Carl

 

[tmhawk]

I have a question about Dyes, especially food coloring dye. Many of you seem to have used these dyes. I have some Mahogany, it has wonderful chatoyance (shimmer/glow). Will the dye reduce the glow? The pictures posted so far show incredibly great finishes.
Thanks.

 

[clthayer]

Alton has a good place to buy food coloring above and it works very very well, but I found that if you don't have a good solid finish your fingers can turn blue, or whatever color you use.

Christian

 

[SuperDave]

Originally posted by tmhawk

I have a question about Dyes, especially food coloring dye. Many of you seem to have used these dyes. I have some Mahogany, it has wonderful chatoyance (shimmer/glow). Will the dye reduce the glow? The pictures posted so far show incredibly great finishes.
Thanks.

I have used it on Oak and it really accents the rays. Don't know about the Mahogany. I tend to rely on lighter colored woods that will take color really well. I have a Yellow and Red bottle stopper that turned out really cool and "shimmer" popped, although the picture doesn't really show it.


Experiment.

D

 

[heineda]

Hello,

I recently purchased some Box Elder Burl blanks, and quickly realized they needed to stabilized. I had never don it before, but decided to give it a try. I put the wood in the bottom of a Tupperware container, added one bottle of MinWax Wood Hardner, and a good squeeze of blue TransTine I bought from Woodcraft. The nexty morning I went out to the garage to agitate the mixture, and the container was dry! The blanks soaked it all up, I took them out to dry, and they are tuirning nicely, and are gorgous.

Dan

 

[SuperDave]

Originally posted by heineda

Hello,

... The blanks soaked it all up, I took them out to dry, and they are tuirning nicely, and are gorgous.

Dan

Don't believe you without pictures...[}]