Here is a detailed video on preparing wood for wood finishing. I tried to show a wood prep for maple wood, and a dying technique for “Popping The Grain” using a figured curly maple wood. The wood dye ratios were very concentrated in this video, and were mixed at the following dye stain ratios:
Black Wood Dye: 2 ounces warm water to 1/4th tsp of black dye powder
Blue Wood Dye: 4 Ounces rubbing alcohol (70% Isopropyl Alcohol) to 1/2 tsp of the Blue Dye Powder.
Wood was prepped with a progression sand utilizing wood specific sandpaper: 120 grit, 150 grit, 180, grit, used hot water to raise the grain (optional) let dry, then sanded with 220 grit (optional) prior to applying the wood dyes to the surface of the wood.
I really hope it helps out, and thank you for watching the video!
You can buy this 5 color wood dye kit here: https://kedadyeinc.com/ordering-information/
You can also buy this wood dye on Amazon and eBay:
Amazon:
Keda Wood Dye Powders: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BAKWTMQ
eBay:
Keda Wood Dye Powders: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wood-Dye-Aniline-Dyes-Keda-Dye-Colors-Kit-Makes-5-Wood-Stain-Colors-/351947043142
Hi, I’m doing some chairs, that will be outside but on a covered porch. I was wondering what the best base is, alcohol or acetone?
Using Keda alcohol dye liquid if you wanted more penetrating power, meaning the liquid dye delving deeper in the wood grain, or if using a very dense wood, acetone may be the way to go. Otherwise, denatured alcohol, ethanol, methanol etc will create a slightly more vibrant coloring with the alcohol dyes. I would go with the denatured alcohol. It is a good base, that delves pretty deep into the wood, and has incredible vibrancy with the Keda liquid alcohol dye.
I have a highly figured maple bowl that I’m thinking about dying. However, I’ve sanded it to 2000 grit. Will keda dyes still absorb?
Thanks,
Dani
You can, but I really recommend going over the bowl one last time with a 150 grit sandpaper. When the wood is sanded too fine, it really makes it difficult for the wood dye to penetrate into the wood fibers. You could go as high as a 220 grit, but typically when coloring wood, you will want to stay around the 150-180 grit sandpaper range. Above that, it really can be a hit or miss, depending on the wood itself, and a few other variables to get that color saturated, vibrant wood finish. Hope that helps out.