Rit Dye Wood Finishing Tutorial

Well hello fellow junkies!!! Chit here, with another installment of, crazy fab ideas that involved way too much time thinking about, and way too little time actually doing. Just kidding. This technique does take a bit of time invesment, but not as much as you would think. Depends of course on the final finishing you want, whether it be a high gloss, very smooth, distressed, etc.

Wood is a very beautiful product to use, but unfortunately, doesn't really fit with the majority of modern automobiles. With a bit of creativity however, you might could integrate it into a future build, or even projects around the house.

Rit Dye is available in an expanded rainbow of colors, and is quite cheap compared to a lot of powdered dyes. They also have a ready mixed liquid variant, but I find them to be a bit strong. You might like the bold color, but I typically dilute the ready mix liquids. Which is another cool thing about the dye. Color too bright, add more water. Hot water though. You can literally achieve thousands of colors with either a bit more hot water into the mix, or just applying another coat.

I try to catch them on sale, or closeouts when grocery or craft stores are clearing them out:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...psrnrknttb.jpg

Here is a quick project I completed last night. Seriously, took an hour from start to finish to accomplish this. Found an arrow sign at a local craft store for $2, decided to do something interesting with it.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...pso6k4k2hd.jpg

I knew this needed to be a very faded blue. Royal blue would have been much too bright, as referenced here:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...psy8pr2600.jpg

By diluting it though, you can achieve that color. Using one part Royal Blue, to about 8 parts Hot water:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...psqxzflbmv.jpg

If your project is smooth enough from sanding already, you can get away with a paper towel, but, I do prefer rags or foam brushes if not. After a single coat, you can see the blue starting to soak in:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...psv3zztqkx.jpg


I start at one end, and try to go completely across in smooth motions without stopping, or letting too much puddle in one spot. The ends work best if you, "dab" the rag or brush, because of the grain there. After three light coats, you get this:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...pswji5ihgx.jpg

Notice the lifted grain, that is from the moisture. A quick sanding takes care of that. Using 180 grit, it should look similar to this:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...pso1kiahuj.jpg

From here, you can apply more coats, and sand if needed again using a finer grain sandpaper. This was to be a distressed look however, so I left it as is. Using a black marker, I added some text:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...psk5zokvyc.jpg

Then outlined with a fine tip grey marker. Sanded the whole piece again with 1500 grit, and it's all done:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...pswcsf4wic.jpg

If you want a nicer finish, this is a subwoofer enclosure using birch, that I applied Scarlet Red, then about five coats of Polycrylic. Wet sanded with 400 grit, then applied a sixth coat. Waxed that, and this was the final finish:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...psl4uqienk.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...psmkiqvyua.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...psls5oji1m.jpg

You'll read this a lot with finishing, but I'll stress again. ALWAYS try it on a scrap piece if possible. Case in point, this is Denim Blue:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps9dxttyvd.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...psaa1aetti.jpg

You'll notice there is hints of blue jean color, but mostly, it's a brownish purple. Looked great on this piece of pallet wood as a wall hanging, but if you were hoping to build a nice speaker enclosure out of it, then you better like brownish purple and not stonewashed blue.

Great tutorial Daniel, testing on scrap is indeed important. Different woods contain different natural chemical and compounds such as tannin which will change the color.

Thanks!

Thank you for the inspiration to step outside the box and try it, and also for the Scarlet Red recommendation :thumbup:

Finished up a quick project. Just trying out some different colors and dilutions:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...psovbrc1l6.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...psqv1lr5s4.jpg

Nice job, chit!

Here is another mini tutorial -

Started with some $2 boxes from a craft store. Presanded with 220 grit to knock off some of the burrs and grain:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps8h79bx7z.jpg

After mixing up Kelly Green, Scarlet Red, and Cherry Red, used one packet of powder to one cup of hot water. Lightly applied with a foam brush:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...psyf4xklff.jpg

After completely drying, resanded with 320 grit to get some of that raised grain from the moisture:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps8wrziwiq.jpg

Then applied another light coat with the foam brush:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...pstt5f6rh5.jpg

Ended up doing three coats of the red colors, and four coats of the green. Only applied after each coat completely dried. Then, applied Tung Oil over the stain. Glenn had suggested it for another project, and I always wondered how it would affect the colors. The first coat of Tung Oil didn't do a whole lot, but this is the second coat applied:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps6obtz89j.jpg

And, this is where less than desirable results occurred. I read online, that a guy recommended waiting five minutes, and then applying the next coat, BUT - it was a different brand of Tung Oil. One that contained almost 80% varnish. What I used, did not. And oh yeah. There was some bubbles with the third coat on top of the second coat after waiting only five minutes.

There is a cure however! With a spray bottle of water, and 400 grit sandpaper, this was the final result:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...pspqusnnw9.jpg

Since these will contain USB flash drives with pictures from our son this year (they are Christmas gifts to the grandparents in our family), I printed and cut out a little phrase that seemed appropriate.

This is Kelly Green (four light coats):

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...psnpphnfoa.jpg

Scarlet Red (three light coats):

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps8hvp5osk.jpg

Cherry Red (three light coats):

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...psujuqvxnp.jpg

you know what? You have some God-given talent,friend. good work.

Very kind of you to say, thank you!

Interesting DIY.
I decided to try it for some Christmas gifts. I did one last night, a small wooden box from the hobby/craft store. I went with a pink RIT dye powder. Using about half a pack and a little over 2 coffee mugs of hot water led to a decent light pink shade. I sanded it with a 320 grit giving it an aged and lightened look.
Now with a light clear lacquer sprayed on and a little more sanding I think it will make a nice little gift.
Got a few smaller boxes to do as well for other people.

Thanks for posting. It has been helpful and gave me ideas.

Pretty cool! Thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crux131

Interesting DIY.
I decided to try it for some Christmas gifts. I did one last night, a small wooden box from the hobby/craft store. I went with a pink RIT dye powder. Using about half a pack and a little over 2 coffee mugs of hot water led to a decent light pink shade. I sanded it with a 320 grit giving it an aged and lightened look.
Now with a light clear lacquer sprayed on and a little more sanding I think it will make a nice little gift.
Got a few smaller boxes to do as well for other people.

Thanks for posting. It has been helpful and gave me ideas.

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That is awesome! Would love to check it out if you want to post a picture here.

These are a few I attempted this year, hope to add a lot more by next Christmas. The bow is Aqua, hearts are Purple and Fuchsia. The star is Danish Oil Natural, dog and football are Danish Oil Dark Walnut:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...psihr49m9t.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by caraudiofab

Pretty cool! Thanks!

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Glad you checked it out Mr. Mark! I'm definitely inspired to step up the next install by incorporating this technique, and some things you've shown in the wonderful tutorial videos.

This is a picture frame I made from Poplar, stained with two coats of Rit Black - like Glenn mentioned, the type of wood provided a rich, dark brown color once dry:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps1z0w5z3b.jpg

Here is just some more samples, Kelly Green on the mini easel, Denim Blue on that small trunk, Purple on a piece of Birch, and Sunshine Orange on a piece of Pine.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...pspd8usfs0.jpg

http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/an...9.jpg.html?o=3

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...&1450816009551

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...&1450816009556

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...&1450816009532http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...&1450817000118

The lamp is for my Mom. The proportions look funny because the base is actually going to hold an old Singer sewing machine. It should look a little better with something on it. If it still feels tall I will shorten the iron pipe and we can always change the lamp shade.

The pink box is for my niece...actually my sister since my niece is only two and I got her some other toys.

The yellow box will be for my sister. I will probably do some more to that one before Christmas.

The dark box with the Death Star is for my Brother in law. He loves some Star Wars.

Still have to come up with a few others as well.

The lamp used actual stain from the hardware store. The others used pink, yellow, and black Rit dyes.
The boxes are just pre made boxes from Micheal's.

Those turned out terrific!!! Excellent work. Which shade of yellow is that? Each piece looks fabulous. Spectacular finishing!

I am not sure on the yellow. It was from the same Micheal's, but they only had one yellow on the shelf at the time.
Thanks for the compliment. They aren't perfect( I have some sharpie marks on side of the "C" on the pink one ), but I am pretty happy with the results.

Oh ok, was curious. Purchased some of the Lemon Yellow, but haven't tried it yet.

Found the box. The yellow powdered dye was Golden yellow.

Awesome! Thank you :thumbup:

chit has been a busy boy! looks good man. Im curious how this color holds up over time.

Same here. Have read mixed reviews, where people said exposed to sunlight all the time, it would fade, but others said under, "normal" use it's fine. Curious if any top coats or sealers will help lock in the color, hence the Tung Oil experiment. Also want to try a spray lacquer like Andy used on those nice boxes.

Forgot to show the sign after it was hung on the wall:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps0uou0ntq.jpg

Another project for my boss lady at work. Her brother-in-law cut out our company logo on his CNC machine, I built a quick frame to display it. Used birch with Scarlet Red Rit Dye on the background, left the pallet wood natural for the frame portion:

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...ps2pxdsjbo.jpg

Super cool. Looks great!