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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: Dav on November 17, 2010, 03:21:02 pm
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can someone explain the use of food coloring for coloring wood. Does it need to be mixed with something or what? It only comes in smaLL BOTTLES THAT IS WHY i'M ASKING PLUS IT"S KID SAVE.DAV
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After the puzzle has been cut, sanded and cleaned soak in half bottle of the food color and enough water to cover the pieces and 15 to 25 minutes later, remove and let dry.
Some times the wood swells a bit but normally you just work the pieces and they come right.
Not good for MDF
***Merlin***
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Food Coloring did not work good for me. 1/2 bottle and 1/2 cut water. Wood was hardly stained. Think I just read it needs 2 bottles and 1/2 cup.
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I mix a whole bottle into about 1 cup of water. that's why I only do small stuff with it. It is so cheap this time of year that I stock up. Anyone try just brushing it on??
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Do I remember reading about using the 'dye' that is used to color cake icing (fondant) and alcohol?
I have a small bottle of the red dye but I don't remember where I put the information.
Seems to me regular food coloring and water would really 'pop' the grain on some woods.
What about 'sanding sealer' applied first?
~~~GB~~~
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It doesn't raise the fibers on baltic Birch enought to notice.
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I use the dye intended for coloring cake icing. I mix it with rubbing alcohol so it doesn't raise the grain and dilute to the desired intensity. It also dries faster than water based. I used it this time last year on a batch of Steve's bubble gum machines, and none have faded at all so far. You can get it at stores like Michaels and it isn't at all expensive to use.
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Thanks Bill....
I remembered the alcohol but not the 'mix to desired...'
I'm making several of the 'mittens' for the show and will try that tomorrow. Some red, some 'white'.
I use "91% Isopropyl" all the time as a 'cleaning agent. Does a great job for removing oil, grease and also dries quickly. Cheap at the local 'drug emporium'.
~~~GB~~~
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Hey GB I would be interested in your opinion of the dye after you try it. I don't do a lot with it, but I've been happy with what I have done. It's readily available, cheap and easy to use, yet not many people seem to go that way. How did you like it?
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Bill, I may have picked up the wrong thing! The stuff I got is almost 'paste' like and will not dissolve in alcohol at all.
Going to make another attempt later this week after a stop at a 'cake decorating' place and check out their supplies.
So far used the regular food color and mixed half and half with 'alky' and it weems to do what I want. I just want a 'red tint' on some Aspen I'm using for those 'mittens'.
~~~GB~~~
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you mixed regular food coloring with alcohol? How did that go? Using isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol?
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I used 1 little bottle and 1 cup of water to dye some ornaments. I put the pieces in for 10 minuets or so.
I also brushing/blobbing some on to get a "tie-dyed" effect. It worked out pretty well, I'll try to get some photos this afternoon.
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looking forward to some pics....Thank YOU!
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When I used the icing dye it was a little difficult to dissolve, but it did with some stirring, and then it was easy to use.
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I posted a bunch of dyed ornaments to my Picasa Album
http://picasaweb.google.com/KNWoodworking/DyedOrnaments#
I did several that are multi-colored/tie-dyed. To get the look I used a paint brush to blob the colored water on to the ornament, then a different color in a different area. The colors run together a bit, and sometimes get a bit muddy, but look cool.
http://picasaweb.google.com/KNWoodworking/DyedOrnaments#5542150441348093970
The rest of the ornaments are solid colors.
http://picasaweb.google.com/KNWoodworking/DyedOrnaments#5542150332070539778
http://picasaweb.google.com/KNWoodworking/DyedOrnaments#5542150398839166210
MrsN
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i like the way those turned out. i like the multicolored trees
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Thanks!
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Really cool looking!!! Thanks for sharing. And might I ask where you got your ornament patterns from??
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Mrsn, nice work. Was the Xmas tree design your own? I liked them. Also, I have been thinking of flocking some of the Stocking/Trees/Etc Ornaments...Seems like a good idea esp for craft fair "look and touch" concept...Just a thought.
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The christmas tree is not my design. I am pretty sure it came from one of the magazines, but I didn't see it in the stack next to my computer. I will keep looking and let you know!
MrsN
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Okay, I found the pattern.
It is in Creative Woodworks and Crafts - 2010 Ornamemt Special Issue
The article is called "Trim The Tree Ornaments" by Sue Mey (page 33 in the magazine)
I just cheked her website. They are also available there "Christmas tree ornaments #1"
http://www.scrollsawartist.com/scrollsawpatterns/christmas.htm
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how about the ones that are not trees?
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the swoopy tear-drops, hearts, and wind-blown trees are from
Scrollsaw Woodworking & Crafts - Holiday Ornaments, Toys & Gifts Volume 2. "Cutting Contemporary Designs" by Sue Mey (page 24)
The long ones are from Scrollsaw Woodworking & Crafts - Holiday 2009 Issue. "Geometric Fretwork Ornaments" by Dale Helgerson (Page 52)
The round ornament with the star was made by "Scrollin USA" I am not sure where/when I downloaded the pattern.
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Thanks I'm going looking :) Your work is very very nice
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Mrsn what kind of wood did you use?You do great work.Thanks for letting us look.Dave
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all of these ornaments were 1/8" baltic birch plywood. I have also made some with 1/4" ply, but to me the thinner ones look better.
thanks for the compliments!
MrsN
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Nice work MrsN. I am going to try some of the fd coloring in the am on some ornaments.
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That may just solve a problem for me. I have a beautiful photo of a Mandarin Duck that I would like to produce but no wood comes in the right colors to do it justice. Still waiting for my saw. >:(
Gabby
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I use the oil paints in tubes and thin it with mineral spirits to the right consistency/look. :)