Wood Conditioner with Water Based Dye - Woodworking Talk

CtotheT · 11-03-2009, 06:57 AM

Hi! I'm using a Birch wood that seems quite blotchy. I've read to use a Wood Conditioner and have made my own using 1 part oil based polyurethane and 2 parts white spirit. Can I leave it to dry then use a water based dye? Also what would be the best thing to stop the blotches with a water based dye? I'm not a fan of solvent based dyes.
Also can I put an oil finish over the top of it? Or maybe a polyurethane finish on a separate bit of birch?

Thanks for the help!

CT

Julian the woodnut · 11-03-2009, 10:58 AM

You want to use an oil based poly as a sealer then use water based dye over it? I am not sure that's a good idea. Try dewaxed shellac cut with denatured alcohol as a sealer then use the dye. I think that the cut shellac will be a better sealer and help the birch from blotching when dyed/stained.

CtotheT · 11-03-2009, 11:20 AM

Sorry! I made a mistake, it's water based poly!