dying hard mape

[paul cottingham]

I'm wondering if I missed something here. I have some very blond eastern maple that I am going to finish with tried and true danish oil and shellac. I am using aniline water based dye. The problem is that my test pieces the dye is quite blotchy. Of course, when just using the danish oil and shellac I get no blotching.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Bob Wingard]

Sounds as though you are a prime candidate for some of Charles Neil's BLOTCH CONTROL. It will completely eliminate blotching, and it works best with dyes.

(NO connection with Charles Neil other than being a completely satisfied customer)

[paul cottingham]

So am I doing something dumb? Is hard maple hard to dye?

[Bob Wingard]

Not at all ... maple looks very nice with dye as a colorant ... you just need to use some form of blotch control/pre-stain conditioner. I've tried several, and have settled on the one from Charles Neil. The choice is yours, but you will need to address the issue of blotching. Gel stains that don't penetrate are another avenue you might travel.

[Steve Schoene]

How did you apply the dye? If you tried to wipe on an even coat you accentuated the problem inadvertantly. Water based dye should be flooded on--a sponge is the best application tool. Then go over it while still wet with your wrung out sponge to remove puddles and excess.

[paul cottingham]

Well, that may be it...I wiped it on with a cloth. I will try flooding this AM. Thanks!