bringing out the figure

[shanejw]

I've got a guitar I'm working on with a flamed maple top that I'm going to be dying red.  Are there any products or procedures that I can do to enhance the figure other than the dye itself?  This is my first finishing job and I'm open to suggestions.  Thanks in advance!

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Put it in the sun before finishing.  The whole piece will darken up a bit, but the darks will become darker and more pronounced.

 

[jlegnor]

You could just stain the top, let dry overnight, sand back the stain so only the grain is colored then stain the top again. Some will use a darker tone of stain for the first application, and some may use black.  Just remember the stained bare wood will not look the same as it will when your claer coats are applied. Wiping it down with naptha will give you a clue.

 

[dmraco]

Simply dying it will reveal the figure.  Dying, sanding back, and dying again really makes it POP.  For this you use two different but complementing colors like brown and amber...there are several detailed threads on this.