wood dye

J

J. D. Martin

Joined
Dec 6, 2001
Messages
59
Does anyone know of a dye safe and effective for use on exotic woods?

I have this handleblock ( 5" x 2 1/4" x 1") (available from
Knife & Gun, Sheffield, Jantz, etc) of lignum vitae that I have beeen in love with---too in love with---to split and use as scales, for a couple years. It has a lengthwise yellowish stripe of sapwood, 3/8" wide, block-long, that complements the heartwood.
I tried to make the block even HEAVIER than its unrivalled 83 lbs per cu. ft. I painted the block repeatedly with danish oil, letting it sit and suck up the oil. It appears the oil did penetrate the wood. But the block was at best, before, a dark green. Now it is a darkdark green, with brown undertones.

If I knew of a supplier who sells a wood dye, including green dye, I would buy some immediately to treat a half-dozen of my lignum vitae
pieces. (Why do I have more than one lignum vitae block? What other slabs/scales can you point to and say "now, this is the HEAVIEST, HARDEST, DENSEST WOOD ON THE PLANET" ?

Anyone know anybody?

----jdm :p :confused:
 
Mike,
I appreciate your expert assistance. You say "aniline" dyes to dye wood, is common. "Aniline" = 'an oily liquid obtained from nitrobenzene, used in the manufacture of dyes and plastics."
And, you say they are water-, alcohol-, or oil-based? And that you prefer thw water-based, because it is more effective? easier to use?faster-acting? Who carries these products---they are used for what?

Your post just made me remember: a few years ago, I faced this same problem with some LV handleblocks. From somewheresupply house, I ordered and got a wood BLEACH---that I used to bring the LV back to its earlier state. (I've noticed---I've noticed paaarticulaarly with cocobolo and lignum vitae---with time, they tend to darken. . .)
You prefer the natural color of LV. I have found that, if I take a block of greenish {bright-as-it-gets green}LV and sand off 1/16" off the face, the green is gone; now the surface is a nut brown. However, if I set that handleblock aside for 2, 3 months --- when I look again, the green will be coming back. I MYSELF dont understand the process --- but it may entirely be due to the onset of oxidation
But, obviously, my question to you Mike would be> which was the "natural color of LV"? the strongly green face, straight from K& G or Sheffield's? Or the nut brown, after I planed 1/16ths in. off the surface? Or the green that gradually 'grew back' thereafter? I think there must be some elementary applied science that I am missing. But Mike thank you for your help. --- jdm
 
Lignum Vitae changes color when it is worked. It does go back to its original color after a bit.
I've used Watco, neutral, Danish oil on it as a finishing agent, and it seems to bring the green back faster, as well as bringing out more natural highlights.

The aniline dyes you reference are not the same as the woodworking variety. They might be distantly related, but are not carcinogenic, like those used in medicine. :eek:


Edited to add; Scroll to the bottom of the link, in my post above, and you can get to the home page of the dye supplier.
 
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