Woodturning Vase – Wet To Dry – Special Dye Finish

Locust Vase

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During the recent Woodturner’s Worldwide online symposium, there were many great demonstrations. Of course a couple were mine. But another that I will attempt to emulate was by Phil Irons. In his demonstration, he used dye to finish light colored wood vases.

In this process, the wood is not sanded before applying dye. The wood is scraped, then dye is applied. After the dye is dry, it can be sanded with a coarse grit. However, the dye is not completely removed with this sanding.

Then more dye is applied and sanded with the next grit. I used a green dye until the last application. For the last application, I applied yellow dye which I felt was compatible with the green.

After many coats of rattle-can lacquer, I sanded the lacquer wet to remove the orange peel effect in the finish. The applied another coat of lacquer followed by a good buffing.

Some resources:
Update To My DIY Lathe Steady Rest (link)
Phil’s triangular scraper is available on Amazon.com “Woodcut Tools Irons Shear Scraper”

Enjoy!


6 Responses to “Woodturning Vase – Wet To Dry – Special Dye Finish”

  1. Richard Mabie says:

    I really enjoyed this video, and am intrigued with the thick triangle scraper. could you share a resource for it? I watched the Phil Irons video you mentioned but he didn’t offer a resource either. thanks Richard

  2. David Dowding says:

    What was the brand of alcohol/die you used?
    I really enjoyed the video. I use die every time I can. I even use die mixed into the water born topcoat
    sometimes.
    Thanks Alan

  3. Bill Leigher says:

    Thanks for this video and all of your other contributions. I a learning to turn as a retirement hobby and pleased to find the willingness of the woodturning community to share. I too watched Phil’s video during Woodturner’s Worldwide Symposium and he used a water based lacquer. What did you use of this vase? Any recommendations for a new turner regarding lacquer? Thus far I have been sticking to oil finishes.

    • For a new turner, keep it simple. Water based lacquer requires special unique gear.
      Oil finishes are great. keep using them.

      When you want to use lacquer start with rattle can lacquer (hardware store aerosol lacquer)
      I use:
      walnut oil
      shellac
      lacquer
      sometimes other concoctions

      Alan