Dyeing Veneer

[Flon Klar Guitars]

I know that this question has been asked before, but upon searching the forums, I have not seen that the question was ever satisfactorily answered. Maybe someone has come up with a solution over the last couple years, so I'll restate the question, with my own specifics:

I have some 1/40" ash veneer that I would like to dye all the way through. Does anyone have a method for doing this that doesn't require industrial equipment? Thanks in advance.

[blenderhead]

I know that this question has been asked before, but upon searching the forums, I have not seen that the question was ever satisfactorily answered. Maybe someone has come up with a solution over the last couple years, so I'll restate the question, with my own specifics:

I have some 1/40" ash veneer that I would like to dye all the way through. Does anyone have a method for doing this that doesn't require industrial equipment? Thanks in advance.

1. purchase dye

2. mix dye with whatever it needs to be mixed with

3. apply dye

[Flon Klar Guitars]

1. I have the dye.

2. The dye has been mixed with IPA.

3. The dye solution, when applied to the surface of the veneer, does not penetrate the veneer. In other words, once the veneer is dyed and cut/sanded, the edge of the veneer again shows white. I need the color to completely penetrate the interior of the veneer.

[Bygde]

No experience at all, but I'd let it sit for a couple of days (??), and apply quite a bit of dye, and keep it wet until it's finished. But as I said, I have no experience in dyeing...

[Flon Klar Guitars]

No, I've already tried soaking it and letting it sit for hours- that still doesn't allow the dye to penetrate. The "industrial" method involves "pressure cooking" it, but I don't have the equipment for that.

[fryovanni]

You are going to have to use some method that will help force the dye(finer the pigment the better) into the wood. Heating and pressure or vaccume then pressure are about the only ways I can think of.

Out of curiosity, are you looking for a color that could be found naturally?(that may be a silly question since your looking to dye). Have you considered or would a fiber material be a possible option (that would fly for laminates, but not face materials).

Rich

[Flon Klar Guitars]

Rich-

I'm using the "standard" Transtint dyes in various hues, definitely not naturally-ocurring colors. I guess I'll have to find a way to pressure cook on a large scale! Thanks.

John

[Quarter]

I've never done this, but here is an off the cuff science project.

What if you took a piece of PVC pipe, a couple caps and taped in a schrader valve.

Roll the veneer up, add dye, pressurize to taste.

[Setch]

You need pressure to make the dye penetrate, and I've not heard many accounts of people getting good results dying their own veneer. Of those few success stories I've heard, most agree that it wasn't really worth the additional time and effort it took to dye their own veneer rather than buying from a specialist vendor.

IMO, you should look into buying from one of the many companies who supply veneer for marquetry etc, they carry a pretty wide range of colours.

[Flon Klar Guitars]

OK, so in case anyone wants to know:

Roll your veneer up to fit in a pressure cooker; cover with water; add dye (a lot!); add salt and pepper to taste; seal cooker; cook at medium pressure for at least 2 hours (more is better); when cool, lay out veneer and weight down to flatten. Dyed veneer, all the way through!

The salt and pepper thing- J/K! Don't do that.

[MiKro]

I know that this question has been asked before, but upon searching the forums, I have not seen that the question was ever satisfactorily answered. Maybe someone has come up with a solution over the last couple years, so I'll restate the question, with my own specifics:

I have some 1/40" ash veneer that I would like to dye all the way through. Does anyone have a method for doing this that doesn't require industrial equipment? Thanks in advance.

How large of a piece is it? If it is not very large, less than 10" wide and less than a few feet long. YOU might try using a foodsaver and long foodsaver bag to use as a vacuum press. I use a small Rival seal-a-meal to do small veneer work. I got it at Big Lots for $30. works great for small stuff like jewelry boxes and such. If you by the bags in rolls then you can make them longer. Will also work for laminating neck blanks but must be careful about sharp corners. I generally make cauls out of 1/4" mdf and round off all of the edges. Just a thought?

I've never tried it to marinate wood but HEY! It marinates meat very well

Mike

[Flon Klar Guitars]

I'm just making an educated guess, but I imagine that the heat involved in pressure cooking is integral to the process. I'm sure the heat probably opens up the cells sufficiently to allow the dye to penetrate well.