Home and Gardening Blog

Oil-Soluble Wood-Stains

Oil-soluble dyes do not form a distinct class of colors either chemically or by application. Colors from any of the various coal tar groups that happen to be soluble in any one of the volatile oils are selected, especially the kinds that are most permanent on exposure to sunlight.

Some of the best oil-soluble dyes for use as stains on wood are found in the following list:

• Red—Bismarck Brown,
• Carmosine, and Oil Scarlet 6 G.
• Orange—Oil Orange G, and Oil Orange Y (extra concentrated).
• Yellow—Oil Yellow, Auramine Yellow, and Naphthalene Yellow.
• Green—A mixture of yellow and blue.
• Blue—Victoria Blue.
• Brown—Oil Brown M, Loutre, and Seal Brown.
• Brown Mahogany—Orange G or Y, and Naphthalene Black, or Oil Brown  M.
• Black—Oil Black, oil soluble Nigrosine, and Naphthalene.

Oil soluble colors are usually dissolved in turpentine, but benzene or benzol, naphtha, gasoline, and carbon tetrachloride, can also be used as solvents for nearly all such colors.

Classes of Dyes Used in Wood-Finishing

Most of the books and magazine articles which have been written about dyes have been produced for the textile colorist or dyer, rather than for the person who wishes to use dyes for the purpose of staining wood fireplace designs, wood frames, or frieze boards. The dyes themselves were usually manufactured for dyeing cloth rather than for staining wood. Consequently the characteristics of the various dyes are usually given with reference to their reaction on various kinds of cloth fibers.

Acid coal tar dyes are used by the textile dyer to color fibers of silk and wool. Many of these acid dyes will not color cotton fibers, but they will easily stain the lignocellulose fibers, which compose the chief mass of wood substance. Practically any of the acid coal tar dyes which are ordinarily used for dyeing silk and wool can be considered as satisfactory stains for wood.

Dyes for cloth must prove satisfactory in various tests such as fastness to light, fastness to washing, fastness to milling, and also to “stoving,” to crocking, or to rubbing. In selecting an acid coal tar dye for use as a wood stain the chief considerations are fastness to light and the price of the dyestuff. The best of the acid coal-tar dyes are the most lightproof colors that can be obtained and are now used extensively as wood-stains for wood frames, wood corner blocks, and wood fireplace accessories.

Acid dyes can usually be mixed together to form new colors, even though the individual dyes may come from different chemical groups. Acid dyes should not be mixed with basic colors, even though the latter may be soluble in water, nor should either of these groups of stains be combined with spirit soluble or oil soluble dyes. They are not usually acid in reaction but are alkaline salts of sodium, potassium, or ammonium.

Basic dyes are usually chlorides, but occasionally other salts such as sulphates, olalates, acetates, or nitrates are found. If an acid dye in a solution of water is mixed with a basic dye in an aqueous solution, a chemical reaction may take place, and a new substance which is soluble in water may be formed. In some cases a compound neutral dye may be produced. Direct or salt dyes can be used in much the same manner as acid dyes for staining wood.

In fact, direct colors can often be mixed with acid colors in preparing wood stains. The mixing of colors from the different application classes involves a greater risk, however, and is not recommended. Basic dyes when used by the textile-dyer are dissolved in water, are often used on cotton, and are “fixed” with a mordant. Basic dyes are generally soluble in alcohol, and are the colors used by a wood finisher when he wishes spirit soluble colors for designer window toppers, fireplace designs, or wood corner blocks.

In general, basic colors are more fugitive than acid coal tar dye colors. Hence they are not as satisfactory for use in stains for wood. Dyestuffs taken from the other application classes, while useful and practicable as textile-dyes, are rarely used on wood because of the difficulty in application to such material. In other words, mordant dyes, pigment dyes, developing colors, sulphur colors, and vat dyes are not in common use by wood finishers, though they are valuable textile dyes.

Tags: wood fireplace accessories | wood fireplace accessories | designer windown toppers | designer windown toppers | wood fireplace designs | wood fireplace designs | wood corner blocks | wood corner blocks | frieze boards | frieze boards | wood frames | wood frames

Modern, country, traditional, Victorian—there’s no shortage of design themes when it comes to kitchens. But with so much to choose from, it’s still easy to run out of kitchen ideas for your home. That’s why a lot of people end up with kitchens that are either mismatched, poorly equipped, or simply not in tune with their tastes. But just because you don’t have that creative touch doesn’t mean you have to settle for an average kitchen. Sometimes, all it takes is a few minor tweaks to turn your kitchen from blah to beautiful.

Think about it: how would your kitchen look if you changed the walls to your favorite color, or replaced your old counter with a shiny new marble top? Most "designer" kitchens are stylish but lack that personal touch that makes it feel like your own. That’s why it’s often the little quirks that set a kitchen apart. A little change can go a long way—if you know where to put it. Here are some simple things you can do to give your kitchen that instant makeover.

Create a feng shui kitchen

Feng shui is a traditional Chinese art wherein household items are arranged to encourage the flow of positive energy into the home. But these beliefs aside, feng shui has many other benefits. Experts have observed that feng shui kitchen design is also a combination of easy function and visual appeal. So whether or not you subscribe to this school of thought, it won’t hurt to follow the rules—at the very least, you’ll have a nice-looking kitchen that’s still very much usable.

There are literally thousands of rules in feng shui, but you don’t need to know all of them. The key concept is to keep everything simple, bright, and open. For instance, you should keep gadgets to a minimum, keeping only the ones you really need. Avoid all forms of clutter and make sure the kitchen is well-lit at all times. Try to bring in natural elements wherever possible by using more wood, stone, or indoor plants.

Take it outdoors

Here’s another idea from the Asians: bringing the kitchen outdoors. Asian design tends to blur the line between indoor and outdoor areas, so you never really know where one starts and the other ends. Because of its busy nature, the kitchen is the ideal place to implement this style. An outdoor kitchen not only leaves you more floor space, but gives you a more open, comfortable place to work. Most of the items can easily be moved outdoors, and the added space makes it easier to rearrange.

The main problem with outdoor kitchens is the harsher environment it’s exposed to. Everything from the counter to the pots and pans should be able to withstand the elements. If you get extreme temperatures or frequent rains, you may want to put up a small shelter to protect your bigger appliances. Invest in heavy-duty basics such as stainless steel sinks, cast iron cookware, and efficient outdoor storage for all the little pieces.

Start an herb garden

Green living is all the rage these days, and what’s a better way to do that than growing your own ingredients? Many people are getting into gardening as a way to reduce their carbon footprints and cut down on spending at the same time. Herb gardening is especially popular because it’s fast, cheap, and doesn’t require a lot of space. Fresh herbs not only spice up your cooking, they also add a nice aroma to your kitchen throughout the day.

If you don’t have outdoor space or only have a small kitchen, you can start with a couple of small pots and just work your way up from there. Put the pots close to your window or hang them from the top, so that they can get adequate sunlight. Water them regularly to make sure they grow well. If properly placed and maintained, they can add a fresh, breezy look to the room and even become your kitchen’s focal point.

Throw in some area rugs

Kitchen floors get more abuse than most people notice. Besides the constant foot traffic, there’s also the occasional spill, dropped pans, or muddy shoes from outdoors. If you don’t have the time or budget to replace your flooring, you can at least protect your existing one with kitchen area rugs. Manufacturers are now offering protective rugs designed for the kitchen environment, but with the same styles and designs seen in living room rugs.

Synthetic rugs usually work best for the kitchen because they’re easy to maintain and keep their color quite well. One of the most popular materials is polypropylene, a plastic-based fiber made to look like natural fibers, such as wool and cotton. Its main advantage is the variety of colors available, which lets you match your rug with your kitchen’s theme. Just pick one that goes with your current colors and you’ve got the perfect finishing touch for your kitchen.

Tags: feng shui kitchen design | feng shui kitchen design | kitchen area rugs | kitchen area rugs | outdoor kitchen | outdoor kitchen | herb gardening | herb gardening | kitchen ideas | kitchen ideas