Replies

1. 
   Jeff_Jewitt | Dec 05, 1999 04:30am | #1

   *
   The procedure to pop the flame is to dye the bare wood, seal, and then apply clear lacquer. Some apply clear lacquer with dye stain in it to produce two toned effects, sunbursts and the like.
   The point is --- color floating in a clear topcoat will not have the depth that you get with color in the wood with a clear "lens" on top.
   Of course there are variations ----- like dyeing the wood with a very light brown dye or black, to pop the dark curl, then getting the rest of the color with a toner. For the very best in depth, seal the dye in with linseed oil, then apply the clear or toned lacquer over that.

   Jeff Jewitt

1. 
   Warren_F._Long | Dec 05, 1999 05:57am | #2

   *Thanks Jeff, one more question please: How do you prevent the dye from bleeding into areas you want to keep natural? That is, I intend to tape off a section of the curly maple, perhaps 1/8" (near the edge) to simulate a top binding (a la Paul Reed Smith guitars). When we later remove the tape, won't the dye have bled into the trim we wanted to remain natural? Thank you for your patience with such an amatuer. Warren Long, San Diego, CA

1. 
   Michael_Richwine | Dec 05, 1999 09:55pm | #3

   *Just an alternative thought. Traditional stringed instruments, violins, etc. are finished this way:The instruments are allowed to sit in the sun to develop contrast in the figure of the maple. Then the instrument is covered with a base coat of yellow varnish, then red or brown is applied over this. I used to reoair violins as a hobby, and I never worked on one that had any stain in the wood.You can get a really good look doing it the way Jeff says, but you might want to try some samples doing it the way I described, to see if it gives you the look you want. It would solve your masking problems. Or you might mix the two. Experiment, have fun. There's more than one way to peel a possum.Micael RKC

1. 
   Shawn_O'Leary | Dec 08, 1999 02:25am | #4

   *I am trying to choose the best finish for a Birdseye maple platform bed for a friend. He wants it to stay lightly colored but show the depth of the birdseye. I am a relative amateur, should I just seal and then lacquer finish (and what type of seal and lacquer is best), should I try to use a light stain (if so, what is the best choice), or other method.Thanks,Shawn