I wanted to know if I can use artist oils to tint some Deft lacquer for a small project? From what I read I think I should be able to but should I dissolve the paint into lacquer thinner or mineral spirts before I put it into the lacquer. I have never tried this and this is a small project so I do not mind doing some experimenting but I would like some guidance.
Thanks,
Mike Francis
– Toolfreak
Replies
Mineral spirits are not compatable with lacquer. Deft is not a true lacquer since it has additives. I don't know how this product will accept colorants. When using nitrocelulose, colorant is added to lacquer thinner and then mixed with the lacquer. You have to be very thorough with mixing and strain the product before using. It's more like the color is suspended rather than disolved. There is a limit on how much colorant you can use per gallon. The materials you want are available from Mohawk finishing supply and others.
http://www.mohawk-finishing.com/default.asp
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
You can use artist's oil colours to tint an oil finish, if you wish, then use a clear lacquer for the final finish.
If your trial piece turns out too heavily tinted, add finish to dilute concentration. If too light, either re-finish, building the coats up, or add more oil colour to the mixture.
FWIW, I've used a mix of:
1 oz raw linseed oil
4 oz 100% tung oil
½ oz Japan drier
1 37g tube of colour
turpentine to 1 pint.
stir the the linseed oil into the colour first, adding slowly to make certain all is suspended, then slowly add tung oil, stirring, add Japan drier, then add turps, again stirring.
I store in 1-pint Mason jars.
By itself, it's a decent stain receipe. You can vary the intensity by adding more or less artist's oil, the colour by mixing two or more colours. Personnally, I'd be wary of mixing more than two colours at a time.
Thanks to everyone who replied to me, this will help me.
Mike- Toolfreak
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