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ColorFX Liquid Dye Concentrates - 5 Color Accent Kit


Accent Colors for Decorative work and for guitar and instrument builders! Your choice of 15ml, 60ml or 250ml sized bottles.

The accent color dyes provide primary colors for decorative carving and turnings and are the perfect choice for luthiers. They can also be used as advanced tinting colors for the ColorFX Wood Tone Kit.

  • Each 15ml bottle can produce 1/2 quart/litre of standard dilution stain (plenty for a typical guitar body).
  • Each 60ml bottle can produce 2 quarts/litres of standard dilution stain.
  • Each 250ml bottle can produce 2 gallons (8 litres) of standard dilution stain.
  • Can be mixed at double strength for intense colors.
  • Apply by hand to bare wood.
  • Can be used to create tinted lacquers (compatible with many popular Solvent & Waterbased Finishes).
  • Complete with instructions.
  • Great for guitars, drums, turnings, carvings and decorative pieces.
  • NOT Recommended for Childrens Toys or Food Service Items.
  • Green (not Included) is produced from blend of Blue & YellowG (adjust to your liking).
  • Amber, Red, Black perfect for Sunburst Guitars.
  • 15ml bottles have integrated droppers.
  • 60ml bottles include auxilliary droppers.

ColorFX Dye Colors Included in the 5 Color Accent Kit

Colors are shown on curly maple, topcoated with Target Coatings SuperClear Polyurethane. Colors may not be exact on all monitors. Test dye solutions on scrap prior to application to projects.

Red

Red

Bright Red. When mixed double strength as shown here, can make a fully saturated color even on maple.

Blue

Blue

Royal blue. Looks great on musical instruments and can be deepened by adding black.

Amber

Amber

Very nice amber color, can be used as a stain on bare wood or as an amber additive for waterborne clearcoats.

Yellow G

Yellow G

Used alone as a bright yellow stain or mixed with Blue to produce Green.

Black

Black

Deep Black.

Green

Green (Sample)

Green is NOT included in this kit. This green is created by mixing Blue & Yellow-G from the kit.

ColorFX Liquid Dye Instructions

ColorFX Liquid Dyes are concentrated metal complex acid dyestuff dissolved in glycol ether solvents.  The dye concentrates can be diluted with water, alcohol and numerous other mediums including waterbased finishes, stains, shellac solutions and many solvent lacquers, finishes and stains.

Mix with water for a low cost, non-flammable stain. Or add to other waterbased stain bases or finishes for an environmentally friendly stain or toner.

When mixed with alcohol, ColorFX dyes create a quick drying, non-grain raising stain.

All ColorFX dyes can be intermixed for an infinite range of colors, customized to your exact project and liking.  No more “settling” for what you can buy off the shelf.

How to use ColorFX Dye Concentrates:

The starting ratio for ColorFX dyes is 1 part dye concentrate to 30 parts solvent (water, alcohol or a blend). Dye intensity can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the ratio as desired. The brightest blues, reds, yellows and greens are obtained by doubling the ratio of dye concentrate to solvent (1: 15).

There are approximately 30 drops (pierced dropper tip) of ColorFX Dye Concentrate in one ml.  An easy starting ratio is 1 drop of dye concentrate in 1ml of solvent for a 1:30 ratio.  The 1:15 ratio would be two drops per ml of solvent.  Blunt syringes are an excellent means for accurate measuring of dye concentrate volumes.

After mixing, apply the dye solution directly to prepared wood using a rag, sponge or spray equipment. Allow the dye to saturate the wood surface, then blot up any excess with a dry cloth. Once the dye has dried, the surface can be finished with any popular wood finish.

Notes to ColorFX Dye Use:

Blotching:  Many woods, such as soft maple, alder, birch and cherry demonstrate blotching when stained. In many cases, when dyed, otherwise unsightly blotches become attractive figure after topcoating.

Test the complete finishing schedule on off-cuts to determine if the results of the dye are suitable. When desired, blotching can be prevented by first applying a control coat of clear stain, highly thinned finish, shellac, glue size (or numerous other methods) to the wood surface and then applying the dye solution to the dried control coat.

Grain Raise:  When using a water dye solution, applying the dye to prepared wood can cause grain raise. Pre-grain raising the wood and lightly re-sanding will minimize problems with grain raise during dye application. Using a blend of 50/50 water and alcohol for the dye solvent can help reduce grain raise.

Color:  When dried, dyed surfaces may look dull and off-shade….this is normal. When topcoats are applied, the dye returns to it’s true color and vibrancy. To confirm colors, dyes must be tested on actual wood species off-cuts and followed through with topcoats to ensure the correct color is obtained.

Bleeding:  ColorFX Dyes contain no binder and if a compatible solvent (water, alcohol) is allowed to touch the dyed surface, the dye may re-activate and bleed into the applied solvent. This is typically a problem when brushing or wiping waterbased finishes or alcohol finishes (like shellac) over the dyed surface.

To minimize the effect of this, the first application of any topcoat should be applied with minimal working of the finish.  Once dried, the first coat will bind the dyed surface and subsequent applications can proceed with minimal trouble.  Be sure not to allow a brush or rag that has absorbed dye to contaminate your primary source of finish (i.e. a full quart or gallon being “dipped” into with a brush).

Another method to prevent bleeding of the dye is to wipe the dyed surface with a very light application of boiled linseed oil. Once cured, the boiled linseed oil will “lock” the dye into place, allowing subsequent finishing to proceed as normal.

And another method is to add a small amount of waterbased finish or shellac (solvent compatible) to the dye solution to act as a binder once applied to the wood.

Compatibility:  ColorFX Dyes are most often diluted with water or alcohol (methyl hydrate, ethanol or isopropyl 99%).  Other solvents can be used such as acetone or lacquer thinner...be sure to test your application. 

ColorFX Dye concentrates can be added to many waterbased, solvent based or oil based products. However, the dyes typically will not work in finishes that have a high content of mineral spirits, such as “danish oils” or wiping varnishes. It is best to trial small quantities of unsure products to determine compatibility by reviewing the dyes’ ability to disperse into the solvent.

Light Fastness:  Metallized acid dyes such as ColorFX dye concentrates are considered light fast for interior applications. They are not intended for exterior use.

Storage:  ColorFX Dye Concentrates will last many years in concentrated form. Once mixed with solvent, the shelf-life ranges from a few months for reds and blues to many years for other wood tones. Keep dyes and solutions in a cool, dry, dark place for best storage.

(2)
Average rating 10 out of 10 ( based on 2 reviews )

Works very well!

Review by Nicholas on 1/2/2023

I've used ColorFX both in natural tones as well in primary colors. The colours are consistent and stable. I keep squeeze bottles of 15:1 and they keep very well, barely even needing to shake the bottle after weeks of sitting unused. Works very well with water or alcohol and is the best way to colour tough woods when sprayed. This product really shines when mixing with a clear poly to make an easy to use toner that won't hide your wood figure like other opaque pigment based colorants.

Amazing colors!

Review by linda on 1/20/2013

I have been wanting to try these dyes for a while & am really pleased with the results. Great colors, fast drying & easy to use.

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