Coloring wood

[McBryde]

I have seen how some people are turning wood that is colored. How are they coloring the wood? I don't mean regularly colored wood, but things like orange pecan wood, or something like that.

Thanks,

E

 

[ldb2000]

I use McCormick Food Coloring . Sand to final sanding then apply food coloring with a paper towel and finish with CA .

 

[RAdams]

Most i have seen is food coloring applied after the turning and sanding as Butch mentioned. I think you can use about any water based dyes.

 

[fernhills]

I use Aniline Dyes. It is made for wood, and a little goes a long long way. Carl

 

[witz1976]

:biggrin:+1 on the McCormick's Just remember with any water based dye that the grain will slightly rise and needs to be resanded. I use a paper bag to burnish the wood works like a charm. Oh, also remember to let it dry really well before you try to apply CA...don't ask how I know this...:redface:

 

[McBryde]

Say i was to use a blue food coloring, how blue would this get a light colored wood? Would you still be able to see the spalting in it, or the grain, or would it just be a blue pen?

E

 

[Mac]

I use testors model paint ( so I can make my on colors)and remove what I don't want with DA ,while still on the lathe.
I mainly do this on my hollow globes for Christmas orniments but will work on pens. I like the grain to show through.

 

[ldb2000]

Say i was to use a blue food coloring, how blue would this get a light colored wood? Would you still be able to see the spalting in it, or the grain, or would it just be a blue pen?

E

With food coloring you can just keep adding color until you get the shade you want . This is a piece of curly hickory with 2 coats of blue food coloring .

 

[BryanJon]

Same here. I have been using aniline dye from the start.
I also have a double and triple stain process I use with the dye. It gives the wood so much depth, if heavily figured.(maple)

I use Aniline Dyes. It is made for wood, and a little goes a long long way. Carl

 

[Mack C.]

These pens were turned from curly hard maple. Then dyed, partially sanded off, then dyed again, and subsequently finished.

I utilize 2 types of dye, one from LV http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=20082&cat=1,190,42942

and this from a Canadian Co. called Wood Essence https://www.woodessence.com/ColorFX-Dye-Concentrates-C12.aspx

 

[pensbydesign]

I use Aniline Dyes mixed with alcohol so not to raise the grain. i put a coat of vinyl sealer to keep the dye from bleeding into the ca finish

 

[JoeHodge1978]

I use a NGR dye that is used in furniture finishing. Turn your blank,sand to 150 then soak in the dye.Finish sanding (after completely drying 24 hrs) and apply a good ca finish.

 

[McBryde]

Are the aniline dyes all mixed with alcohol, or with water, or what?

E

 

[McBryde]

Also, how much dye is needed for a blank? Are you soaking it in it, or just droping it on there? How many blanks will 1 bottle do?

E

 

[McBryde]

Very nice looking pens guys!

What kit is that Mackc?

E

 

[McBryde]

ldb2000, is that just food coloring dropped on teh wood out of a dropper? Or is it soaked in it? Also, is it mixed with anything, or just put on there straight?

E

 

[ldb2000]

Just drop a few drops on the blank (on the lathe , any speed) while spreading it with a paper towel . Usually 3 or 4 drops is enough per coat . Full color is reached with 3 coats (depending on the wood) letting it dry for an hour or so between coats . I find the liquid works better but some prefer the gel .

 

[RAdams]

Here is a slim i did out of curly maple that i got from Oldfar.....I mean wagon (Todd)...

It has amazng curl, and I have never made an "Arthritis" pen, so i figured what the heck. It has two coats of blue liquid food coloring (Generic) I apply mine to the paper towel first and wipe on IMMEDIATELY. Two coats.

 

[RAdams]

LOL... I forgot the photo

 

[Mack C.]

Very nice looking pens guys!

What kit is that Mackc?

The first pic is known as a Baron in Canada, the 2 together are Sedonas. They may have other names for them in the US.

Further to my mixing and application process: the aniline dyes from LV can be dissolved in as little water as possible and then add the alcohol. (Isopropyl 99% pure) Stay away from that killer Methyl Hydrate!!

A mixture of less than 1 tsp. total will dye a lot of pens. I apply the dye with a small artists brush, painting it on till the colour doesn't change any further. I let it dry overnight, maybe sanding off lightly, and then I paint the blank again. The alcohol flashes off quite quickly, but I like to let the dyes set for a day or so.

The Wood Essence dyes are liquid. I mix them in Isopropyl as well and apply in the same fashion. A really good deal from WoodEssence is this one https://www.woodessence.com/ColorFX-Dye-Trial-12-Color-Kits-P51.aspx 12 colours for less than $50.00

 

[Chief Hill]

Food coloring for me as well.