I’ve noticed a lot of folks referring to water-based dyes and some to alcohol-based dyes. Most seem to refer to TransTint dyes.

I’ve never used TransTint but from what I have read they seem to be for all intents and purposes virtually identical to the Sherwin Williams Universal Dye Concentrates I use. Which brings me to wonder why YOU prefer reducing with either water or alcohol rather than some of the other solvents which these kinds of dyes are perfectly compatible with?

Personally I prefer Acetone. And Here’s why. Several years ago at my work we developed (in conjunction with a major design firm) a rebranding of a rapidly growing upscale West Coast bank called Umpqua Bank. Financial constraints have since forced them to switch to a black woodgrain plastic laminate for all but a few items and those remaining few items now get an off-black paint instead of a finish. But the original scheme was rift-cut Red Oak veneer with a super dark stain that some hotshot designer was convinced was going to be the newest rage. We called the color “Warm Chocolate” and it was about the color of bittersweet chocolate. Not quite black but pretty darn close and with the color of the Oak itself being just barely discernable under good lighting.

Anyway, I was using a black dye as part of how I achieved this look and I found that alcohol seemed to have a surface tension which caused the dye (which I was spraying on pretty wet) to pull away from the open grain pores, which of course left them too lightly dyed and messed with the overall look. So I started using Acetone instead and I found that it was much less likely to pull away, leaving a much more even coat of dye when all was said and done. Plus it dries really quickly.

The only downside according to my SW rep is that in an Acetone base the dye tends to partially settle out if left too long. But that hasn’t proven to be much of an obstacle. Give the can or gun a quick swirl or two and it’s ready for another session.

So anway I’m just wondering what are y’all’s reasons for sticking with water/alcohol instead of any of the alternatives?