*
I just finished a pair of carved Chippendale chairs, of Mahogany, and wanted to finish with water soluble aniline dye, with HVLP sprayer. Usually, I would pre-treat with water to raise grain and sand lightly with 220 grit, so that the dye doesn’t raise the grain as much. These pieces are ornately carved, and it would take forever to hand sand all the surfaces that extra time. How would you advise coloring the pieces? Do alcohol based dyes fade in color with light, as easily as I have read? Thanks a lot
Discussion Forum
Get It All!
UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.
Start Your Free TrialCategories
Discussion Forum
Digital Plans Library
Member exclusive! – Plans for everyone – from beginners to experts – right at your fingertips.
Highlights
-
Shape Your Skills
when you sign up for our emails
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. -
Shop Talk Live Podcast -
Our favorite articles and videos -
E-Learning Courses from Fine Woodworking
-
-
Replies
*
Use the alcohol-based stain and don't worry about it. You could also let them darken with age. An oil finish with Linseed oil as a component will darken them right off the bat without the need for stain.
Regardless of what you do, I would not let the chairs get hammered by sunlight through a window year in and year out.
Make sure that you thoroughly experiment with your finishing routine. It sounds like a ton of work went into the chairs. Good luck.
*I have lately been using Trans Tint dye mixed in Tried and True Danish Oil on Mahogany, with beautiful results. This of course won’t raise the grain. The oil really brings out the grain. I have used a mixture of Cordovan, Lemon Yellow, and bright red (sorry I don’t have any exact formula). I use 2 coats, and then seal with dewaxed shellac. Anybody who reads this, and wants it, they can have for the shipping cost of $7.50 the following Behlen NGR dyes. They worked great, but made me deathly sick, even with a respirator. I quart of eachLemon Yellow (full)American Walnut (full) Medium Brown Mahogany (some used out of this one)Pint Lemon Yellow (some Used) And a can of retarder (some used)First response gets it.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled