Question about blackening sharps

[Greg Newell]

Well, I certainly agree with you that a Dye can 
stain something. Seems that we're talking 
different forms of speech here. None the less it 
was explained to me by none other than Jeff 
Jewitt, whom you quote, that a Dye penetrates the 
wood and a Stain is larger pigment particles and 
sits on top. It seems to me, therefor, that these 
are 2 distinct products. I was hoping to avoid 
confusion for the person you originally responded to.

Greg Newell



At 10:42 AM 9/2/2006, you wrote:
>Hmmmm, I don't think any confusion originates on 
>this end (at least on this topic). To quote 
>directly from the "TransTint Liquid Dye Concentrate Technical Data Sheet"
>
><http://www.homesteadfinishing.com/pdf/TransTintTDS%206-2006.pdf>http://www.homesteadfinishing.com/pdf/TransTintTDS%206-2006.pdf
>
>"The dye can be mixed with either water or 
>alcohol as a bare stain on wood - or added 
>directly to finishing materials like shellac and 
>lacquer to make toners or stains." It goes on to 
>state: "To use TransTints as a stain for bare 
>wood, stir in the concentrate...."
>
>Sooooo, it would seem to me that the product is 
>both a die and a stain. I suspect it would be 
>fair to call anything that permanently colors 
>something else a stain - like Carbernet 
>Sauvignon is a wine, but can also be a stain (DAMHIK).  :-)
>
>Hope that clears the air!
>
>Terry Farrell
>
>----- Original Message -----
>Terry,
>         You might be confusing someone here. 
> The product is either die or stain to the best 
> of my knowledge, not both. The Transtint you 
> speak of is decidedly dye NOT stain. Shoe 
> products are also dyer and NOT stain. I hope 
> that might be some clarification for Jeff.
>
>best,
>Greg
>
>
>
>At 07:40 AM 9/2/2006, you wrote:
>>Lots in the archives on this. Many ways to do 
>>it. If you must stain the beautiful natural 
>>ebony - use black die stain  -  #6023 Black 
>>http://www.homesteadfinishing.com/htdocs/TransTint.htm
>>
>>Or, go to your local shoe dude and get some black shoe stain.
>>
>>Finish with a clear coat of your choice - I 
>>like a nice oil finish - just wipe in on.
>>
>>Terry Farrell
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>>Hi
>>>First time posting here.
>>>
>>>Does anyone know if there is a standard procedure for blackening sharps.
>>>
>>>I have a set which had an ugly finish - shiny and wavy gravy.
>>>I stripped them and the ebony is quite "blond" 
>>>in color - sort of tiger striped.
>>>
>>>I can't figure out how to get them to take 
>>>stain. (wood being so extremely dense).
>>>I have attempted to "paint" them with shellac 
>>>mixed with iron oxide pigment (very nice black).
>>>But I cant get a good surface  without sanding through at the corners.
>>>
>>>This is all to say - I am clueless.
>>>What do the factories do?
>>>Any standard tricks for a standard look?
>>>
>>>Thanks,
>>>
>>>Jeff
>Greg Newell
>Greg's Piano Forté
>mailto:gnewell at ameritech.net
>www.gregspianoforte.com

Greg Newell
Greg's Piano Forté
mailto:gnewell at ameritech.net
www.gregspianoforte.com