Replies

1. 
   ring | May 05, 2006 11:42am | #1

   I haven't tried it and it's an interesting idea.  What I have done is to pre-wet the surface, and when it's half dry to apply the dye, which seems to get soaked up more evenly this way.

   DR

2. 
   RMillard | May 05, 2006 02:13pm | #2

   I have not tried soap, but a tiny addition of alcohol will relieve the surface tension.

    

   Rob Millard

3. 
   SteveSchoene | May 05, 2006 03:20pm | #3

   This has been recommended as a possible solution when a waterborne dye does not penetrate into the walls of the pores of open pored wood like oak, leaving them white.  The reports I have heard haven't been very positive.  And, unless you are having this particular problem there isn't any point in adding soap--analine dye mixed with water otherwise penetrates quite deeply enough. 

   Highland Hardware does sell a dye specifically formulated to address this problem.  It's call Artiporin. 

   The other solution to this problem is quite simple.  After the dye, lightly seal the wood (1 lb. cut shellac, dewaxed if you intend to use polyurethane varnish or a waterborne finish.) and then apply a pigmented stain.  The pigment lodges in the pores, hiding any lack of dye.  This approach also gives a good way of adding depth to the finish, so it's not a second rate solution. 

4. 
   Kleck | May 05, 2006 06:14pm | #4

   It doesn't work.

5. 
   Handrubbed | May 05, 2006 06:22pm | #5

   Not positive, but I thought that I read this advice at Homestead Finishing site, by Jeff Jewitt.  Check there.  He is the source for the most widely sold aniline dyes and is very helpful in rendering advice.

1. 
   Danceswithwoods | May 05, 2006 06:41pm | #6

   Ahh yes, that may be where I read it as I did order my last batch of dyes through his firm.  Thank you all.  I will return to the Homestead site and re-read the info. 

6. 
   hammer1 | May 06, 2006 02:44am | #7

   Soap doesn't work, nor does glycerin, wetting the surface or anything else I've tried. Water dyes aren't my favorite. I used them on many projects before I wised up. Some species like oak just won't let the water penetrate. Wet sanding it in is a mess and can cause warping. Other species require raising the grain, sanding and often repeating the process. I never found that dyes have any advantage over oil based stains for ordinary woodworking projects. They cause many problems that I don't want to deal with anymore.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match