I have a solution for you Patrick. I haven't checked the thread to see
other answers, so if this has been said before, so be it.

Spray light dry coats of WATER based dye (more permanent) using a .036
or smaller tip. IF you don't get the wood soaked, there will be ZERO
splotching. "I guarrantee it" (Men's Warehouse) It's fast, and it's
foolproof as long as you spray many dry coats to bring up the color.
The dye needs to quite dark when mixed, as it goes on very lightly, when
applied correctly.

Dave

Patrick Conroy wrote:

Any tips for darkening Hard Maple to an almost "Dard Fumed Oak" color with
analine dyes?

I've tried my Alcohol based Transtint and it still is splotchy. I tried
some water based JE Moser, no splotches but it looks so dead, so *flat*. I
combined the two and its a little better.

I'm going to try a Gel Stain over the dye tonight and see if that helps.

I haven't tried conditioner yet. I've got some, just haven't gotten around
to a test strip.

I sanded to 220 - should I have backed off to 120/150 or so?

I used Maple because that's what I had lying around. Had I know "she"
wanted it dark, I probably would'a picked something else.

Anyone have some tiplets(R) for coloring hard maple they can share?

Thanks!