dyeing timber or veneer

[Arron]

Hi. Has anyone had any success dying veneer - or timber generally. The key thing here is that I want the dye to soak in a fair bit - not just sit on the surface. This is so the object can be worked and sanded (a little) without going patchy.

All my experiments to date have managed sub 1mm penetration - probably only about 0.2mm.

cheers
Arron

[AngelaPetruzzi]

Good morning Arron
What is your project and what is the look you are trying to achieve?
Can you not sand the then stain?
I doubt you will get anything to go deep enough that wont be effected by further sanding.

[gyropilot]

Hi

Try a thinners based stain.... warm the veneer up if needed, and the stain will soak in..
(Pylon Chemicals "Fast Stain" or the equivalent in another brand)

Geoff

[jimbur]

As you can see from the volume of replies it's not an easy question to answer. I think the deepest stains are achieved when using a product that uses the natural components of the timber - getting a dark blue or black on tannin rich timbers for instance. Just think of the stains around nails in eucalyptus timbers. True mahogany also works with some chemicals. Then again you can create shades in thin pieces by dipping in hot sand - scorching I suppose.
I like vandyke crystals which give you varying shades of brown and being water based can soak in.
Staining can be an esoteric art and it might be best to find a book on the subject.

[Arron]

Hi

Try a thinners based stain.... warm the veneer up if needed, and the stain will soak in..
(Pylon Chemicals "Fast Stain" or the equivalent in another brand)

Geoff

Hi Geoff,
What sort of depths have you achieved with Fast Stain ?
I'm curious because in the company data sheet for that product it says 'do not sand'.
Cheers
Arron

[Arron]

Good morning Arron
What is your project and what is the look you are trying to achieve?
Can you not sand the then stain?
I doubt you will get anything to go deep enough that wont be effected by further sanding.

Hi Angela,
The look I'm trying to achieve is mellow, aged. Colours red, blue, green and most importantly black. Not brown.
And no, I cant sand first.
Cheers
Arron

[gyropilot]

Hi Aaron, if it is a warm day (or warm the wood & stain you should get 1 to 2mm...
Unfortunately I have found this out in the past - after first spray customer says "Oh, I didn't think it would be that dark - can you lighten it" and then the sanding starts... and you sand away...
Cold wood, cold stain = less penetration... obviously...



Geoff