Replies

1. 
   Michael6255 | Nov 16, 2003 04:08am | #1

   You mat want to try a Honey maple aniline dye.

   Mike

2. 
   VeniciaL | Nov 16, 2003 06:07am | #2

   Woody,

   There is no way anyone can give you a "reliable" formula for this color matching task. The variables are enormous. It is simply impossible to predict exactly how a dye will react with a particular sample of wood. Especially a sample that has been previously dyed, then bleached.

   You wil need to get a variety of yellow, red and blue dyes and experiment until you get the closest match.

   Your first formula should contain mostly yellow, some red, and a little blue. The blue will "desaturate" the orange-yellow mixture and make it darker, and browner, not blue. Better than adding black. There are a number of aniline dye supplies available. You may be able to start with one of teir stock colors and vary it.

   If you did this for a living you would have a good idea how your staple of dyes behaves on various woods. But you will just have to find your paricular goal by trial and error.

   VL

   
   

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   Edited 11/15/2003 10:08:44 PM ET by Venicia L

3. 
   hammer1 | Nov 16, 2003 11:36am | #3

   It's very hard to match old and new. All kinds of things have happened to an older piece chemically to produce the color. You may come up with a solution that looks good from one angle but not from another or in a different light. To do it right you have to strip the old, use the sludge to apply to the new, strip the new and start all over. I have driven myself crazy trying different dyes, artist colors and stains. The closest I have come was by taking a piece of the original and a few pieces of new to the best paint shop in town. They will come up with a stain that is very close usually at no extra charge. They have analyzers that start them off in the right color spectrum. If the new is right next to the old there will always be a noticable difference unless you are a magician. Experienced and well outfitted craftsmen use toners and glazes when possible but for most of us mortals it would be easier and quicker to start over.