Laurel Mtn Forge Stain Reducer

[moleeyes36]

I have a stock on my current project that is a very nice piece of curly maple.  I like Aqua Fortis on curly maple but I'm thinking of applying some Laurel Mountain Forge maple stain, highly diluted, in light coats over the stock to add some red to the brown I get from the Aqua Fortis. 

Everything I need for rifle building, and shooting, I have to get via mail order because nothing is available around here.  A can of LMF stain reducer, with shipping, is pretty pricey.   I've never tried LMF stain and I don't know if it can be thinned with 99% isopropyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, or something else other than LMF Stain Reducer.  I know a lot of you guys use LMF stains, so do any of you thin it with anything other than their stain reducer?

Mole Eyes

[mack700]

I have a bottle of LMF lancaster maple.  It says it can be diluted with LMF reducer or denatured alcohol for lighter tones.

[T*O*F]

If you don't have any alcohol on hand, HEET gas line deicer will work and it's only about a buck a can.

[cunninmp]

I got a can of Denatured Alcohol for $6.00 at the hardware
store. Works great.
I apply LMF Cherry then Nut Brown as learned on this site. Nice
reddish brown hue.
Mike C.
 

[Barngunguy]

Do you use the stain before or after the aq?
I used aq for the first time several weeks ago.
it came out very nice. I would like some red
tone to the next pieces I do.

[smallpatch]

Apply additional stains after the AF, to bring out the tones that you want.

[moleeyes36]

Apply additional stains after the AF, to bring out the tones that you want.

Exactly.  I like the way Aqua Fortis makes the figure really pop out on curly maple, but this time I want to put some red tone to the finish.  So I'll try thinning some LMF stain with denatured alcohol and apply that after I've used the Aqua Fortis.  I thought I'd thin it to about 4:1 alcohol/stain and start there with a light coat and see what I get.  If that isn't enough reddish color I can apply additional coats.

Thanks for the tips on what to use as a thinner, guys.

Mole Eyes

[mack700]

Occasionally a piece of curly maple when stained with aqua fortis will turn a lifeless ugly brown color .  A good fix is to use fine sandpaper,steel wool, or a scotchbrite pad to lighten up the stain and then use a stain like honey maple to give it some richness. This should be done before any finish is applied.

[moleeyes36]

Occasionally a piece of curly maple when stained with aqua fortis will turn a lifeless ugly brown color .  A good fix is to use fine sandpaper,steel wool, or a scotchbrite pad to lighten up the stain and then use a stain like honey maple to give it some richness. This should be done before any finish is applied.

Never had that happen to me.  Over application of the heat can sometimes make the color too dark, but that's all I've experienced.

Mole Eyes