Pigment vs dye stain explained

Overview

Pigment stains are ground mineral powders in a binder. They sit in pores and grain and work best on open-grained wood. Dyes are dissolved colourants with smaller particles: clearer and deeper, but they streak where applied unevenly. Wood Magazine adds that dye has no binder, so a solvent can lift it, and that dye fades more in strong light.

When to use

• Pigment (Oil-based pigment stain, Water-based pigment stain, Gel stain): open-grained wood, where pores should read darker.
• Dye (Water-soluble dye stain, Alcohol and oil-soluble dye stain): figured wood, even colour, and as a base under pigment.
• Both: dye first for colour, pigment stain second for pore contrast. Fine Woodworking recipes pair them: TransTint honey amber under Minwax Early American on oak.

Materials and tools

Sample boards, white plastic plate for mixing colour tests, scale, glass or plastic containers, strainer. Dye families: acid (water), basic (alcohol), solvent (oil) per Fine Woodworking.

Steps

1. Make sample boards from the project wood (Colour matching and sample boards).
2. Pick dye solvent: water (most useful, Wood Magazine), alcohol (does not raise grain, tints shellac), or oil (dries slowly).
3. Test the colour on a white plate; neutralize with the complement or 2 to 3% black (Fine Woodworking).
4. Apply dye flood-wet and pre-wet with its solvent to avoid streaks.
5. Seal with a finish in a different solvent from the dye.
6. Apply pigment stain or glaze over the seal, then clear coats.

Common problems

• Streaks and laps: dye applied unevenly; pre-wet and flood.
• Colour lifts: a topcoat in the dye's own solvent; seal first.
• Fade: Fine Woodworking found lightfastness varies (1-8 scale); metallized dyes rated 4 to 7, others 2 to 5; dark tones are more lightfast; dye-plus-pigment products fade unevenly.
• Dark pores: heavy pigment; fix by sealing before pigment.

Safety and environment

Wood Magazine: eye protection, a respirator and nitrile gloves with dye powders. Oily rags from pigment stains: see Oil-based pigment stain.

Related

• Water-soluble dye stain
• Oil-based pigment stain
• Toners and shading lacquer
• Glaze and antiquing glaze