Replies

1. 
   woodshaves | Jan 12, 2008 07:33am | #1

   If I understand your question, you are looking for a custome tone to even out cherry boards, colors not available off the shelf, and possibly a recipe (for the process or for custom made stains ?). Here is a suggestion: First look into the colors http://www.homesteadfinishing.com has to offer in the TransTint line. For cherry, the likely one is Reddish Brown. The reason for TransTint is because is a glycol base that will be able to be used on the differen ways I suggest, and they are more lightfast than any other "aniline" type dye. The first step is to spray (not rubbing) the selected color dissolved in distilled water, this gives an even color, spray a light coat, do not overspay as you want a uniform light color. Doing this produces a base where you will work on. Let it dry. Next prepare an oil stain with the same TransTint color, it is a "water-based" that can be added to oil directly, take 4 parts of boiled linseed oil and add the concentrated TransTint, add enough for the tone you like, mix well. Now add 2 parts turpentine or thinner to it. This is your oil stain to be used over the cherry, apply and remove as you do with any oil stain, let dry, see if you like the end result (there is no practice board here since each board was different). This may be all you need if you like the results, but if more blending is needed, you may go to a glaze, also prepared with the same TransTint. At this point, seal the surface with shellac or diluted finishing varnish (same one you will use to topcoat). Now prepare the glaze with 3 parts linseed, add the same TransTint (or a darker red if you like a more "aged" cherry, see what Homestead has to offer or go with any other glycol-based stain in the market, SolarLux may have them), mix well the color you like, now add 2 parts turpentine or thinner and 1 part Japan drier, apply as you do any glaze, remove more from the areas with a darker tone, let dry, seal with shellac, topcoat after shellac is dry. You may also use a toner to blend the final color, you may use lacquer to achieve the same, there are many ways to go, this is one suggestion. If you follow all these steps, themperature at the finishing room has to be at an acceptable 70 F or better.

   A similar Reddish brown may be done with burnt sienna artists' oil color, but is more tedious to do, the same steps are done.

   If there are different woods to "create" a cherry" look, I suggest you go to http://www.homesteadfinishing.com and look into the advise on "Staining and Blending Difficult Woods", it solves that problem.

1. 
   boilerbay | Jan 12, 2008 07:05pm | #2

   Thanks very much for your input.

   I had looked at Homestead and at their TransTint color samples in different dilution configurations at retail shops and they don't have the right color base for what I'm after. Not in the red browns.Primarily, I'm looking for a pigment base color to add in to BLO (without turp as a thinner or carrier). I think it may be the Mohawk M500 series reds. Especially the Light Red Mahogany. I want to carry a very slight subtle color deep into the wood. I haven't found any pre-made off the shelf stains (from woodworking sources or big boxes) that are "subtle" at any useful dilution because their base pigments are crude base colors. The exception maybe Solar-Lux. Solar-lux's cherry and light mahogany together would be a rough starting point but for the amount that I'm looking at, the cost (even wholesale) would be horrific and it would still be a solvent based stain. Solar-lux's cherry isn't much different than 2 long coats of BLO with a single 2 lb. garnet wash. The recipes I'm looking for would be volumetric amounts of Mohawk product to BLO.I probably didn't make myself clear but my secondary desire is much more distant and not as important and as a bonus only, would be as a color equalizer across a lot of wood(cherry). I'm not concerned about blotch per se.
   I'm looking for specific info on Mohawk's reds.Thanks again.John

   Edited 1/12/2008 12:05 pm by boilerbay

2. 
   beachfarm | Jan 14, 2008 01:43am | #3

   I use Mohawk for commercial work - specifically their stains and dyes/toners with Catalyzed Lacquer when spraying large runs of cabinetry, interior finish work, etc. For the last kitchen project, I used a dark Mahogany wiping stain (as a stain and as a toner) to color match new Cherry cabinetry and trim to existing Cherry cabinetry and trim. In the end, the client couldn't tell where the old ended and the new began.

   My Mohawk rep worked up the program for color and application. I fine tuned things as needed when it came time to spray.

   Their dealer networks are well informed and willing to dispense know-how. If you don't have a local rep, you might call Mohawk directly.

   Regards...

1. 
   boilerbay | Jan 14, 2008 06:01pm | #4

   Thanks,
   I have contacted them and their rep is trying to find better info from their tech dept. The do seem very responsive.
   John