Hey everyone! I'm working on restoring some old Milers Falls tools, like eggbeater drills and braces, and I'm on the lookout for a dye formula that closely matches the original red color. If anyone has experience with this or knows of a reliable dye that works well for hardwoods, I'd really appreciate your suggestions. Thanks in advance!
2 Answers
I might have to say the search for an exact match is tricky. I'd recommend reaching out to Jeff Jewitt, who may have some solid advice on this. I've heard that red dyes can fade over time, which complicates the matching process. If you're unsure about the original finish, it could vary quite a bit in redness. Have you figured out what shade you're aiming for yet?
I haven't personally tried this yet, but I've heard great things about ColorTone tinted aerosol guitar lacquer. It's often used in guitar-building for achieving neat sunburst effects. The more layers you apply, the darker and more solid it gets. Since Milers Falls tools probably used something similar originally, it might be worth a shot!
That sounds like it could work! I think using cherry might get you pretty close. You could also start with some garnet shellac for a bit of a maroonish tint.
You're right about red being a tricky color. I think there was definitely some tint in the original lacquer. When I restored my braces, I noticed a hint of red that came off while scraping. I ended up going with linseed oil, shellac, and paste wax instead because I preferred the look of the wood.