I can’t find a ready-made stain the exact color I want, so I’ve decided to make one. Do you have any advice on how to do that?
Max Gurnemanz, Kensington, MD
A:
Artist’s oil pigments come in a huge range of colors, but you also can customize your exact color by blending two or more. First, mix two parts Danish oil with one part pigment. Then add another two parts of Danish oil and mix. Test on a scrap board and adjust as needed until you get the color you’re after. When you’re satisfied, strain the mixture through a fine mesh paint filter to remove any leftover lumps of pigment. As with any stain, apply this one over a washcoat of shellac if the wood is prone to blotching, like cherry or pine.
Add artist’s oil pigments to half of the Danish oil. Because the pigments are oil based, they mix evenly with the Danish oil.Mix the oil and pigments. Mash the pigments with a cheap brush to break them down and dissolve them in the oil.Test stain on a scrap. After adding the remaining oil, wipe some of the stain on an offcut from the project to see how it looks. Filter to remove undissolved pigments and stray bristles.
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