Dye on Coasters?
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I had an idea to make coasters with a dyed inlay, but have never used dye before. Since it would potentially be in contact with both water and alcohol, I would be concerned about the finish dissolving. Anyone have recommendations?
- Debra J
Hi Debra, I have used dye once in a while. I assume that the dye is for coloring and that you are applying the dye directly to the wood rather than adding dye to shellac or to some sort of varnish. It is pretty standard to add a topcoat over dyed wood. That topcoat would seal out the water and the alcohol. Of course, since a coaster could be exposed to alcohol, you probably do not want to use shellac for your top coat since shellac dissolves in alcohol. You need a varnish of any kind that does not react with water or alcohol. (Another reason to want a topcoat is that dyed wood without something over it does not look good. Very flat.)
I made a counter too and just ised oil based poly. Its five years old and has withstood everything kids can throw at it or on it. I put 12-14 coats on it and used a cherry stain under it. Worked pretty good.
I also used some water based poly on my cabnet fronts and they did not stand up to the time test. They went white and mostly the dinish dissapeared from them. They need refinishing now.
Much as i like to go green some times you just have to use the bad stuff.
There was a good blog the other day on paint on the unplugged workshop affiliate here.
Its a good read.
Thanks, gentlemen! The dye would be applied directly to the wood and I may shellac over that. Then I believe I would use the vile oil-based poly topcoat as suggested. I intend the coasters to be a gift and want them to last.
Now to pick through the woodpile!
- Debra J
Be aware that many water based wood dyes aren’t really colorfast, but often the fading takes place over decades depending on UV exposure.
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