Fluted Cherry Vase Project

[David Delo]

Have a 12" cherry vase I'm going to finish up tomorrow. My idea is to add flutes to the piece and then dye the flute cavities probably with a brush. I know I'll get a few spots at the top edge of the flute where the color will bleed over to the top surface or I'll spill a drop of dye off the brush etc. etc. Going to use the Artisan dyes from CSUSA that are alcohol based. Not sure how far these dyes penetrate but questions is: will these mistake areas sand out or will I need to take the surface down with a gouge?

[Curtis Myers]

Perhaps you can apply finish and or wax to the area prior to fluting and staining. The finish and wax will help prevent the stain from obsorbing into the wood area other then the flutes.

All the Best
Curt

[Mel Fulks]

I suggest looking at pics of old traditional fluting first. They are deep and close together,and show well just by shadow and light. Most of the modern treatments with paint are far apart.

[Phil Rose]

I love the artisan dyes, and use them a lot ... Airbrush and brush on. One thing to note is that they are not like paint. They will bleed along grain lines, so keeping the color only in the flutes will be near impossible.

[David Delo]

Thanks for the replies Curtis & Mel. See next reply for further info.

[David Delo]

I love the artisan dyes, and use them a lot ... Airbrush and brush on. One thing to note is that they are not like paint. They will bleed along grain lines, so keeping the color only in the flutes will be near impossible.

I tried a couple test pieces that I ran over the router table and your advice was spot on Phil. So I decided to not to do anything color-wise with this piece because there's enough gum stains and streaks naturally in the piece. Here's how this one turned out today in spite of a 4 hour power outage.
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[Ronald Blue]

Nice job Dave. It looks like an art piece you might see in a museum. I agree with your assessment that there is plenty of definition and contrast in the wood to stand on it's own merits. Plus I know if it were me and the dye treatment didn't go well I would be frustrated at myself for not leaving well enough alone. Of course that would require me to get to your skill level before that would happen. Thanks for sharing this.

[Bill Hensley]

I use frisket film (craft store) and an airbrush (Harbor Freight) to get the results you are after. After you cut the flutes through the frisket film go around all the edges and press them back down to ensure a good seal. Next lightly apply the dye with the airbrush. If you do multiple light coats it's less likely to bleed.

[David Delo]

Thanks for the idea Bill. I'll have to keep that in mind for future projects.

[daryl moses]

Nice work David, I love the flutes!!

[David Delo]

Thanks Daryl.