In article
, Leon
wrote:

"dadiOH" wrote:
I've never had occasion to use dye so don't know how strong a color one can
get.

I have need to get some work to a semi-gloss jet black. I had planned to
use black paint topped with poly - and if I can find some black, alkyd
enameI probably will - but I hate the idea of having to use acrylic...I
don't have spray equipment so will need something I can sand to get a nice
surface.

Would black dye get me a jet black? I don't mind wood texture showing but
not grain pattern. How about dye topped with poly that has some black tint
in it? Would light wood (eg, poplar) work better or a dark one (eg, walnut
or mahogany)? Maybe Peruvian walnut?

All opinions welcome but experience gets extra points


Hummmmm. I have used General Finishes expresso dye on occasion, premixed,
and followed up with a gel varnish. The dye raised the grain some what.

I have used a lamp black milk paint followed with gel varnish. The milk
paint really raised the grain.

Why not have a local Sherman Williams mix you an Alkid oil based semigloss
jet black paint and skip the varnish?

The more closed grain the wood, the smoother the results will look.

Didn't JOAT experiment with shoe polish? I don't recall how that worked
out for him.

--
³Youth ages, immaturity is outgrown, ignorance can be educated, and drunkenness
sobered, but stupid lasts forever.² -- Aristophanes