Dyeing a quilted maple top tele

[joer0952]

Hello, I was dyeing a highly quilted maple top tele and I have some questions I thought maybe some people could answer. I am dyeing it turquoise, and in order to try and make the figure really pop, I put on a coat, then sanded it back a couple of times applying additional coats in-between, and when the dye is wet it looks amazing, and the figure really pops, but when the dye dries the figure becomes much less apparent. When I apply a finish at the end should that make the figure really pop again, like when it was wet? Also I noticed that when I look really close there are some small circles in the figure (kind of like small knots) and lines that don't seem to be accepting the dye nearly as well as the rest of the top. Is there any way to remedy this? They are not glaringly apparent, but they still are there when I look carefully. I will try to upload pictures soon. Thanks for any insight in advance.

 

[bullfrogblues]

Dyed wood will look flat until you get some clear on it. wipe it with Naphtha and you'll see what I mean.
Not sure what to say about the circles without pics.

 

[Boreas]

Need pix.

As @bullfrogblues mentions, a quick wipe with naphtha will give you an idea of the final look. But be careful - it can remove a small amount of stain/dye - mostly from the areas that aren't taking up stain well.

Irregular stain take-up by wood is mostly unavoidable. With experience you learn to use this to your benefit.

 

[tubedude]

If you want it to pop, stain it black, then sand back 'till you like it, seal coat, turq stain in lacquer or whatever finish you're using, clear coats, etc.
The key is using black in the deep grain. Here's one I did for my wife.

 

[joer0952]

I would have done the black stain sand back thing, but for the look I'm going for black doesn't work. I attached some pictures. In the first you can see the figure of the wood, but it is much much more visible when wet, I also attached a close up picture of one of the circles where stain isn't being taken up as well. It is kind of hard to see but if you look closely you will see it in the middle of the picture.

 

[Lone_Poor_Boy]

I would have done the black stain sand back thing, but for the look I'm going for black doesn't work. I attached some pictures. In the first you can see the figure of the wood, but it is much much more visible when wet, I also attached a close up picture of one of the circles where stain isn't being taken up as well. It is kind of hard to see but if you look closely you will see it in the middle of the picture.

My take, knowing nothing about this stuff... it looks great and you're likely the only one that's gonna notice the 'circles' you're describing as you are the one with hands on giving it a constant close-up inspection.

 

[stratisfied]

That's just the figure in the wood. I would be very pleased with the way it turned out.

 

[Boreas]

EMBRACE the circles. That's how Nature works. Very cosmic!

 

[Freeman Keller]

Seal your stain with a few coats of sealer, then spray your clear. I think you'll find that the chatoyance comes back with the top coats

 

[Sea Devil]

The circles may be scratches from orbital sanding with a coarse grade. Those marks are sometimes called "pigtail swirls," which I think describes them very well.

 

[eallen]

Just needs sealer and clear.

A common mistake people new to dye make is continuing to wipe on coats without realizing the effects of clear. As a result they can end up with darker shades than desired. It helps to wipe over periodically with naptha when inverting with dye to get a better idea of shade. For those who spray dye I sometime spray a light coat of clear to check color.