Using Transtint Dyes For Coloring Woodturnings

USING TRANSTINT DYES FOR COLORING WOODTURNINGS

TRANSTINT Dye Solutions are concentrated solutions of metal-complex acid dyes in a special solvent the allows the use many options in applying the dyes. TransTint dyes are pre-dissolved, so they are ready-to-use by reducing with water, alcohols, acetone, or ketones.

TO USE AS A DYE STAIN: On bare wood, TransTint may be reduced with either water or alcohol, or a combination of both. Water is recommended for hand-application and first-time users. Denatured alcohol suffices for non-grain raising applications, but spraying the dye solution is recommended when reducing with alcohol. DO NOT use mineral spirits, paint thinner, or naptha.

For water-free (non-grain raising) hand or spray applications, use a 50/50 mix of denatured alcohol/lacquer thinner. Add the dye to the solvent, stir, and it is ready to use. A ratio of 1 fluid ounce of TransTint per quart of solvent yields a typical strength dye solution; Increasing or decreasing the solvent ratio will intensify or decrease the color. Apply dyes by rag, brush, sponge, or spray. When reducing the dye with water, a pre- grain raising of the wood is advisable.

TO USE AS A FINISH TONER: A very unique feature of TransTint is the compatibility with many features. The dye can be added directly to shellac, most water-based finishes, solvent lacquers, pre-cat and post-catalyzed and conversion varnishes to make toners and shaders. In most cases, applying as a finish toner by spraying gives the best results. Settling of dye may be noticed after sitting, so stir and strain before each use. TransTint acts as a retarder, so you may need to extend the drying time.

Do not use in oil-based finishes or finishes containing mineral spirits. ALWAYS test product suitablilty by adding several drops to an ounce of finish. If separation occurs, DO NOT USE. Avoid exceeding 1 ounce TransTint per quart; however, stronger solutions can be used for effects if/when you test the solution first. Always add TransTint before thinning with other agents.

OTHER USES: Add TransTint to water or soluble fillers, putties, glues, or epoxies for colored fillings for turning. DO NOT add to cyanoacrylate glues. Do not exceed 1 ounce TransTint per quart of filler product.

Best price source found: VeneerSupplies.com at $13.40 per 2 ounce bottle Woodcraft and Craft Supplies $18.50 per 2 ounce bottle From Jeff Jewett – Pigment requires a binder to glue it to the surface of wood because it's an inert substance that's merely suspended in a carrier/binder. A dye is in solution and to understand how a dye "sticks" to wood it's important to be able to visualize dyes at the molecular level - something easy for chemists but not so for the average person. Both the dye and the substrate being dyed (wood) are chemicals - possessing certain characteristics which chemists call functional groups. At the molecular level these groups can be visualized as open pockets of electrostatic charges (+ or -) or acid-base characteristics.

In dyes, the functional group can serve as a method of attaching the dye to the wood. Acid and direct dyes can attach themselves through molecular electromagnetic forces like zillions of tiny little magnets, basic dyes can have an acid-base attraction (wood is acidic) while solvent dyes are just absorbed into the wood (which is why oil and alcohol dyes have more of a tendency to bleed). This is why dyes do not require a binder like pigment does. Water dyes penetrate the deepest because wood is hydrophilic (water-loving), but water causes the wood fibers to swell - which raises the grain. Non-grain raising solvents are used in industrial finishing because of the extra time necessary to re-sand the surface.