Dyeing- Any how-to's?

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BigguyZ

BigguyZ

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Aug 8, 2007
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Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
Ok, I already posted a thread about what the best stabilizing solution is, but what if you're looking to dye the wood? Is there something that's preferred? Are there any techniques that are reccomended? Any documents/ how-to's available?

Thanks!
 
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Material? Many to choose from. A real easy one to use is FOOD COLOURING dye. Make sure you get your "sweeties" permission prior to raiding the kitchen cupboard. : )
 
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What works for me is powdered rit-dye (from the local walmart laundry isle) desolved in denatured alcohol. I apply to the blank after I turn it to shape by dropping it in the jar mixture and soaking for the prefered length of time, depending on darkness of color desired. Then I take it out and hang it (on a bent piece of wire down the tube) to dry. After it dries I spin it and apply some EEE Cream to make the dye transparent. Let it dry and clearcoat. I use lacquer. Hope this gives you some ideas. Good Luck!
 
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JohnU said:
What works for me is powdered rit-dye (from the local walmart laundry isle) desolved in denatured alcohol. I apply to the blank after I turn it to shape by dropping it in the jar mixture and soaking for the prefered length of time, depending on darkness of color desired. Then I take it out and hang it (on a bent piece of wire down the tube) to dry. After it dries I spin it and apply some AAA Cream to make the dye transparent. Let it dry and clearcoat. I use lacquer. Hope this gives you some ideas. Good Luck!
Click to expand...

What is AAA Cream?
 
wood-of-1kind said:
Material? Many to choose from. A real easy one to use is FOOD COLOURING dye. Make sure you get your "sweeties" permission prior to raiding the kitchen cupboard. : )
Click to expand...

Don't have a sweetie (or any food coloring, for that matter).

I'm thinking about maple or some other fairly plain domestic that I can use dye to create different colors and/or patterns.

How does everyone else to dyed quilted and burl blanks? Does it require equipment heavier-duty than a HF pot and a vacuum pump or compressor?
 
I drilled out a few blanks, tossed them in a coffee jar full of transfast dye and water and let them just sit there for a few weeks. Then I took them out and tossed them in a corner for a month or more to dry out. I then drilled the hole larger to size and spun them out. The dye was completely through in some spots and not in others. I sprayed a finish and sent them to market. They had a strange look and sold quick.
 
BigguyZ said:
I'm thinking about maple or some other fairly plain domestic that I can use dye to create different colors and/or patterns.

How does everyone else to dyed quilted and burl blanks? Does it require equipment heavier-duty than a HF pot and a vacuum pump or compressor?
Click to expand...

Alton (greenmtnguy) does his curly maple and burls with food coloring and
no pressure equipment. Done in minutes and they look great.
http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVJ7fc9
http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq1wiZQS
http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pqblg9S
 
BigguyZ said:
Don't have a sweetie (or any food coloring, for that matter).

I'm thinking about maple or some other fairly plain domestic that I can use dye to create different colors and/or patterns.

How does everyone else to dyed quilted and burl blanks? Does it require equipment heavier-duty than a HF pot and a vacuum pump or compressor?
Click to expand...

I have a page I put together on some dye penetration tests I did a couple years ago. http://www.rziha.net/woodworking/experiments/dye_penetration/ .

Hopefully that'll help you get started.

Not that you *need* a PVP, but it does speed up the process.
Also google for dying veneer in a vacuum.
 
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So, I tried using dyes to stabilize some cherry burl blanks I bought. After letting it dry for a bit, I cut the blank and found that the color didn't penetrate very far into the blank. I can only assume the solution in general didn't penetrate either. So, I'm wondering if my solution is too thick?

But also, I'm wondering how long is reccomended to keep the blanks in the solution? I stabilize under vacuum, starting around 21" Hg at first, and then the vapor pressure usually brings that down to 17-18" Hg. It's a acetone- plexi solution, with either transtint or solarlux as the dye.

Thanks!
 
Go here for a simple, easy to use food coloring.
http://www.sugarcraft.com/


Use this as it is a thick gel and goes on intense and is transparent. I use a CA finish over it. Turn the blank to finish size, sand and apply the coloring.

AmeriColor! Soft Gel Paste coloring in a bottle
Makes coloring a breeze. Easy to use and no mess! by a company based on the old-fashioned principles of premium quality and superior service.
Sugarcraft is proud to introduce you to the strongest and most vibrant colors on the market.
AmeriColor™ is dedicated to quality products and customer satisfaction.
All colors are US Certified by the FDA.
All of the ingredients used are of the highest quality and give AmeriColor™ customers long-lasting vibrant colors every time.
Available in Avocado, Super Black, Chocolate Brown, Warm Brown, Sky Blue, Royal Blue, Navy Blue, Burgundy, (flesh tone), Gold (golden), Fuchsia, Leaf Green, Forest Green, Mint Green, Ivory, Maroon, Mauve, Orange, Peach, Deep Pink, Soft Pink, Regal Purple, Red Red, Super Red, Christmas Red, Tulip Red, Holiday Red, Dusty Rose, Terra-cotta, Turquoise, Teal, Violet, Egg Yellow, Lemon Yellow
Ingredients: water, sugar, may contain one of the following US certified color red 40, red 2, yellow 5 blue 1 & 2, or titanium dioxide, modified corn starch, vegetable gum, citric acid and less than 1/10 of 1% sodiumbenzoate, and potassium sorbate as preservatives.
Kosher Certificate - Color Chart
 
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