Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Nov 08, 2005 12:59am | #1

   Yes, even under finish the dye will fade somewhat. I think you are quite right to think of this in terms of layers of color.  You will be helped in this process and have to obscure the grain less if you start with a naturally dark wood.  If you use either cherry or mahogany the natural darkening of the wood will be an offsetting factor. 

   Here's what I'd try first.  I'd first dye it with some bright red dye.  It will really look awful.  Then apply a 1 lb. cut wash coat of dewaxed shellac.  Over the shellac you can first apply a  dark dye that will shift the tone away from toy like.  Then to slow any fading and to deepen the effect you can stain with a pigment only stain.  Zar, for example.  Minwax usually combines dye and pigment and I prefer to keep these steps separate.  (I usually just mix my own stain,  using artists oil paint for the pigment which is mixed into a small amount of boiled linseed oil and then into a larger amount.  I then add a good dollop of alkyd varnish, and then thin it to the desired consistancy with naptha or mineral spirits.  The only tricky part is getting the pigment mixed evenly. )

   For the darkest look may need to apply a dark gel stain.  It sits on the surface and doesn't need to penetrate.  Unfortunately, I don't like the way it obscures grain, though I guess its not as much as dark brown paint.