tinting tru oil to enhance contrast

[graycrait]

I got this really cool Wenig produced 10/22 stock. It looks to be English Walnut.  Does anyone know of something that can be added to an initial coat of TruOil that will not darken the natural tints but will enhance the contrast?  

[Garufa]

Something other than TrueOil maybe?  Like pure tung oil or a french polish?  It's wood...think of it as a piece of fine furniture and go from there.

[cj0e]

If it has some end grain or other natural figuring, applying a dyed coat of something followed by sanding evenly with about a 220 grit. That should take the dye out of the less thirsty grains, and leave it in the more thirsty grains.

 

Basically, wood grain and figuring absorbs products at different rates - some slowly, some quickly. So you can get the grain to pop by giving it a light sanding coat after your dye coat, then finish coat the sucker.

 

Here's a decent video demonstrating the process using dyed shellac and a varnish topcoat on a curly maple pencil cup.

 

Good luck, and don't forget...

 

 

PS:

 

I'm not a pro woodworker, I certainly don't know all the best tricks. I've just gotten lucky the few times I've done any woodworking projects around the house. Ask a pro!

Edited August 2, 2014 by cj0e

[gregintenn]

I've always used a dye before I applied tru oil. The dye brings out the grain in the wood. The tru oil finishes and seals it, as well as making it shiny.

[Dolomite_supafly]

They do make something called natural stain. It basically makes everything contrast a little more.

[graycrait]

Thanks for all the comments.  Gives me some things to look at.  I am a long way from finishing this stock.

 

This is how it looks with mineral spirits applied:

 

[RED333]

What ever you do it will look good, unless you paint it.

I wont try to tell you what you need to do, I never was good at working with wood.

I did finish a stock with tung oil, it came out just fine, I soaked it, let sit for a bit.

Then rubbed the finish with a dry rag, them added coats and rub between every coat.

Now it does not have a polished gloss, but that is not what I wanted.

[url=http://s896.photobucket.com/user/redintn/media/Left%20handed%207mm%20mag/DSCF1233_zps7f08ec21.jpg.html][/URL]

Edited August 2, 2014 by RED333