Maple red stain??

[rickC]

I was wondering if anyone has a way to copy or mix up a stain??About 15 yrs ago I used some Birchwood casey maple stain and now they no longer make it!I really like it as to color and depth.It had the color of a fine violin! any one have an idea how to copy or mix that red maple color? ::------I believe it was water based?

 

[Zonie]

Yes, it was water based and I liked the color too.
Birchwood Casey also stopped making Colonial Brown which was darker than the Maple but still had a redish cast to it.

I wish they would start making more of both, but what's a mother to do?

A few months ago, a guy at the local gun show had 3 unopened bottles of BC Colonial Brown for sale.
I'm not sure if he was looking at me with that wierd expression on his face because I bought all three bottles or because of the little jig I did in the isle, clicking my heels together on every leap! :: ::

 

[dlemaster]

I would love to find some more of that Colonial Red Stain that Beechwood Casey used to make.
Maybe we should get a bunch of us together to contact Beechwood Casey and see if they would start making the Colonial Red and Colonial Brown stains again. :hmm:
If there is enough of a market they just might consider it.

Regards, Dave

 

[MikeChapin]

I too liked the Colonial Red. The closest I have found is Laurel Mountain Forge Maple. They also have Lancaster Maple which is close to The Colonial Brown BC used to have. They are alcohol based. I usually cut them with rubbing alcohol to get whatever shade I want. I have not tried mixing them yet.

 

[donk]

You might try a dry powdered stain like an anylin dye. They come in water base and alcohol base. You might have to do a little experimenting but you can mix just about any color you want.
Check out Wood Workers Supply out of Casper WY. I think it is[url] woodworkerssupply.com[/url]. I'm not for sure on that as I don't have a catolog right here.

 

[rmonday2]

I was wondering if anyone has a way to copy or mix up a stain??About 15 yrs ago I used some Birchwood casey maple stain and now they no longer make it!I really like it as to color and depth.It had the color of a fine violin! any one have an idea how to copy or mix that red maple color? ::------I believe it was water based?

I bet you could get the water base pigment they use at walmart for mixing house paint and find you a recipe by experimenting with some red yellow and brown to tone it down.
Woodcraft also carries the dry stains .

Who knows,It could be fun too frusrtating!

 

[Black Hand]

Try the various browns available for Feibings shoe dye. They have oil based (which I have not used) and others which appear to be alcohol based (that I used). I just used the Dark brown on some maple and it has a reddish color to it. Give it a try. Should be available from your local shoe store or from Tandy stores. Mixtures of tha various shade with a little black thrown in might get you what you want.
Black Hand

 

[dlemaster]

I tried some oil based stains a long time back. I didn't care for them. All I could get was the oil in the wood and the pigment laying on top - no penetration. That is why I have been using Aqua Fortis and water based stains. I did try alcohol based stains on a recent restoration job for a 30-40 Krag rifle that worked out well. I will try them again.

Regards, Dave

 

[rickC]

Thanks for the input!!I have some tandy leather dye that is mahogany? might try to dilute it to get some of the "tone" down!!I learned one thing, if you get it on you,you will be that color for awhile. :no: will just have to experiment till I can get lucky and find some old bottles at a gun show too!!I will check out that wallymart suggestion too.

 

[Black Hand]

It is supposed to come off your skin with rubbing alcohol. Some of it does, but I still had localized finger jaundice for a week or so.

After using the leather dye, I removed the excess with a cloth soaked with rubbing alcohol. This helped to mellow the color and remove the superficial stuff. I also helped to define the curl from the background. (SHHHHH, trade secret)
Black Hand