AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: bob in the woods on November 09, 2015, 08:04:08 PM

Title: yellow food colouring
Post by: bob in the woods on November 09, 2015, 08:04:08 PM

Anyone try using yellow food colour as a wash before further staining ?  It works well as far as showing up surface imperfections , and I like it as a base before my iron/vinegar application. Even a dilute solution helps to show scratches, file marks etc.

Title: Re: yellow food colouring
Post by: smylee grouch on November 09, 2015, 08:32:47 PM

So what mixing ratio do you use?

Title: Re: yellow food colouring
Post by: bob in the woods on November 09, 2015, 11:10:47 PM

I mix with water , testing on scrap so I get just a nice light transparent yellow wash.

Title: Re: yellow food colouring
Post by: smylee grouch on November 09, 2015, 11:32:03 PM

Thanks Bob. Will give it a try.

Title: Re: yellow food colouring
Post by: Jim Chambers on November 10, 2015, 04:49:09 AM

Been using it for years to whisker the stock.  Any yellow remaining after the final sanding/scraping just adds to the final color of the stock.  It's much easier to see areas of the stock that need more attention with the yellow color.

Title: Re: yellow food colouring
Post by: BOB HILL on November 10, 2015, 05:42:51 AM

For many years I've used alcohol based dark brown #124 Fiebing's leather dye thinned with rubbing alcohol to light yellow to do this. It shows every blemish and scratch. When I am satisfied with my finish, I follow with AF. Dust from food coloring may be safer than from the dye.
Bob

Title: Re: yellow food colouring
Post by: JoeG on November 10, 2015, 07:20:20 AM

A straight 10% solution of nitric acid ,

heated will give you a nice yellow under base with dark brown stripes

Title: Re: yellow food colouring
Post by: Tim Crosby on November 10, 2015, 04:31:29 PM

  There is a Lemon Yellow powder stain, Lockwood's, that mixed with water works very well when used like Jim posted above. I have been using it on anything Maple, stocks, hawk hafts and furniture for years.

  Tim C.

Title: Re: yellow food colouring
Post by: Nate McKenzie on November 10, 2015, 05:28:23 PM

I use LMF honey maple for the same thing.