Replies

1. 
   brucet9 | Aug 11, 2008 02:08am | #1

   What can expire in distilled water? I suppose that tiny amounts of phthalates (plasticizers) might leach out of a plastic bottle over time, but the quantities would be on the order of a few parts per million.

   Try a dye mix with a new bottle of water and I'll bet you won't see any difference.

   BruceT
1. 
   bones | Aug 11, 2008 02:15am | #2

   You beat me to that reply! Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.

1. 
   bmyyou | Aug 11, 2008 02:17am | #3

   I agree, just looking for a really good excuse as to why the maple that I'm finishing looks so streaky and uneven.  I've recently posted questions regarding maple finishing so thanks for the quick reply on the distilled water.

    

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Aug 11, 2008 06:04am | #4

   I don't know that it affects your case, but remember that dye finishes don't look anything like their final appearance until a top coat is applied. 

   Another source of streaky dye is trying to put it only lightly.  Water soluble dye should be applied quite liberally--a wet sponge.  That way the dye penetrates to saturation all over the wood.  You can go over it again with the damp sponge if their are puddles.  Another point is that it is always best to start from the bottom up.  That way any drips or runs fall on still wet dye, where it is easily wiped off with no visible effect. 

   I too doubt that the distilled water you used had any impact. 

1. 
   bmyyou | Aug 11, 2008 08:04am | #5

   Thanks - I probably did put it on too lightly.  Could you explain how to dye stain a tabletop with the sponge?  I'm still basically experimenting, and the largest surface area to practice on is the bottom of a desktop.  However, I don't want the stain to bleed over the edges and run to the other side because I want to apply the best technique on the top.  The sample boards I made just aren't wide enough to show the same effects as experimenting on the bottom of the desk top.

   Thanks for the info,

   Brian

    

2. 
   dkellernc | Aug 11, 2008 05:18pm | #6

   One thing you can do to avoid the "drip edge" look is to apply a sealer to the tabletop edge that you then remove to apply your finish of choice.  I've done this before with shellac, which I removed with a liberal application of denatured alcohol.

   I've tried paste wax as well.  It works to shield the wood from a water-soluble dye, but it has to be put on thick, and it seems to work best on a closed-grain wood.

3. 
   WillGeorge | Aug 12, 2008 05:46am | #7

   I've done this before with shellac, which I removed with a liberal application of denatured alcohol.

   Exactally what I was going to post! Shellac is a wonderful bug!