Hi, guys. I'm just starting my test panels, and hoping that someone can save me a little time.

I'm working with solid ash and ash-veneered ply for the first time, trying to give both a uniform, solid black color. I planned to use Trans-tint dye applied with a 50-50 alcohol-water solution.

I sanded to 180 grit and applied the dye solution to a test panel of the ply. Much more of the dye was absorbed by the pores than by the wood between the pores. The pores are nice and black, but between the rows of pores it's a ghastly shade of gray.

Will the gray areas go black if I apply one or two or three more coats? Or do I need to treat the bare wood with a wash coat to keep the pores from absorbing more dye than the rest of the wood? Or can I not use Trans-Tint to get a uniform-solid black color in ash?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,

John