Wood dye followed by paste filler?

[PeterTSkelton]

Folks

I've got a Roasted Swamp Ash body which I'm thinking would look great with a combination of a yellow dye stain to lighten up the lighter areas of the wood, followed by an application of dark paste filler to make the open grain darken up.

Anyone got any experience with an approach like this? Seems like the two finishes should be compatible

 

[bagman67]

That'd work fine.  I'd add in intermediate step, however. 


1.  Prep surface for dye
2.  Apply dye
3.  Apply sealer (shellac or other purpose-made product)
4.  Apply grain fill product
5.  Do no. 4 again until you're really sure the grain is filled.


Alternatively (and perhaps preferably), you could seal, grain fill, and then coat with a tinted color coat, or "toner" in the lingo of the field.  That might actually look better, since the roasted maple may not play as well with dye as it would with a tinted toner.

 

[Cagey]

I would change the sequence. Remember, you've got to sand the filler to level it out, so any finish that's already on it is going to get sanded off. So, if you want the nooks and crannies to be darker, darken them first since they won't be touched by the sandpaper. Also, use a clear filler. Once everything is filled and level to your satisfaction, then put the lighter dye on. Since it'll only show in the lighter areas, you'll get the effect you're looking for.