Food coloring as a wood dye?

[Woodchipper]

Was watching a food show in TV. The person put some red colored candy chips on cake icing. Question: anyone used food coloring on light colored wood? Will it even work? TIA.

 

[carlmorrell]

Food coloring applied to hemp. I had a hard time holding on to this one. Need more hemp....

 

[wolf creek knives]

I did on a Zen pen and it came out quite nice. The trouble I've heard about using food coloring is light, like from the sun, can fade it.

 

[egnald]

I've done it before and it turned out just fine. - Dave

 

[rherrell]

I have a tutorial in the library on making a mini flashlight and I use food coloring to color the maple, here's the link...

Wood grip for MAGLITE Flashlight

I bought a "MINI‐MAG" and set about figuring how I would make a Wooden Grip. Click on the image below to begin download of PDF. Author: Rick Herrel

www.penturners.org

 

[keithbyrd]

I have used food coloring several times - never had any problems with it! Easy to apply and finishes nicely!

 

[Woodchipper]

Thanks to all for sharing your experience with food coloring. What did you use for the final covering coat. CA?
Edit: I am thinking to use this on light wood to deviate from the other woods and synthetic blanks. I have found after many years in sales, no matter what you have on hand...someone will want something else.

 

[wolf creek knives]

I use wipe on poly.

 

[Woodchipper]

Do you apply full strength or dilute it with anything?

 

[keithbyrd]

I used food coloring then finished it normally with Mercury CA

 

[greenacres2]

I tried food coloring once...never dried, stayed sticky for a year before i pitched the blanks. In fairness, the food coloring was at least several years old so that may have had an impact. I've recently taken to experimenting with Artisan Dyes from Craft Supplies--alcohol based, fast drying. I really am finding those to be easy to work with. Each color is about $4 for 1.7 fluid ounces, and easy to work with.