Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: NOMADIC PIRATE on November 13, 2015, 04:34:40 pm

Title: Staining Vine Maple ?
Post by: NOMADIC PIRATE on November 13, 2015, 04:34:40 pm

Not sure yet if I'll stain it but I have to do something this wood is so darn white !!  :D :D :D ( maybe a backing )

Anyway, back to staining, how does this wood take a stain like the common Minwax you get at ACE ?

Title: Re: Staining Vine Maple ?
Post by: aaron on November 13, 2015, 04:51:11 pm

Stains well in my experience. I usually use the vinegar and steelwool trick to make it dark grey. http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php?topic=49428.0

Title: Re: Staining Vine Maple ?
Post by: Onebowonder on November 13, 2015, 04:58:31 pm

I'm not sure if vine maple stains differently than hard maple, but with hard maple, I've been able to get excellent results with leather dye.  If you want to lighten the effect of the dye, I've used mineral oil to thin it down some with good effect.

OneBow

Title: Re: Staining Vine Maple ?
Post by: PatM on November 13, 2015, 05:06:14 pm

Woods like Maple and HHB definitely take a more potent stain like leather dye to really darken them.
 Gordon often posts what he uses on a particular  bow.

Title: Re: Staining Vine Maple ?
Post by: Bryce on November 13, 2015, 05:37:29 pm

I like the spirit based leather dyes. My favorite for most white woods

Title: Re: Staining Vine Maple ?
Post by: blackhawk on November 13, 2015, 05:53:56 pm

+3 on the dyes. ...especially all the maples ;)

Title: Re: Staining Vine Maple ?
Post by: bubby on November 13, 2015, 06:38:23 pm

I haven't gotten any yet but the colors blackhawk gets with those trans tint dyes is incredible

Title: Re: Staining Vine Maple ?
Post by: Weylin on November 13, 2015, 07:27:51 pm

I like the alcohol based Fiebings leather dyes.

Title: Re: Staining Vine Maple ?
Post by: Dances with squirrels on November 13, 2015, 07:31:30 pm

Alcohol and oil based aniline dyes work expertly on vine maple.

I'll never use Minwax type stains on bows again in this lifetime. It muddies  the grain of the wood, while anilines bring it to life. Try it and see.

Woodworkers Warehouse sells aniline dyes of various mediums.