On Oct 31, 4:04*am, hwahl wrote:

Anyone have experience
with dyes - like TransTint and Behlen's? *Any tips on avoiding
"spotchies" and bleed through?

Part of my business is finishing and refinishing. I don't like
Transtint. But I do love Behlen's and have used it extensively with
great results. It is easy to use, the product is consistent, and
gives consistent results in application.

Charlie - I use water based dyes and found that I get a more even
color when I airbrush the dye on. *Might take 2 or 3 passes, but it
dries quickly and you can go back and touch up easily. *

Great application method. I have a tiny little spray gun with a tiny
little cup (maybe 4 ounces) that has a 1mm needle on it. I mix up
Behlen's thinned with anhydrous alcohol which is available at any good
paint store. I usually thin 3 parts alcohol to 1 part Behlen's, and
apply multiple coats to achieve the correct color, and to fill any
voids. Wait about 10 minutes between coats.

Finish with a rattle can of Deft lacquer or one of its equivalents.
You can apply the top coat in just 20 minutes after the last coat of
dye.

Since the dye is so transparent, you can literally make your wood look
like some other species altogether applying the color and top coat in
this fashion.

If you don't
have an airbrush and you are using water based dye, spritz a little
water on the end grain before applying the dye.

Good tip!

Robert