Color Formulation

The best way to simplify the finish process in order increase production is to formulate one step color application. This can be achieved with a dye stain that is applied directly to the wood as opposed to wipe stains, glazes, toners, and shaders.

The color can be controled by not only how heavy you spray it on, but by how wet you spray it. The wetter you spray it, for example, the more the stain will bite into the wood or "pop" the grain. Otherwise the color will appear to sit on top and have a more "clean" look.

Another characteristic that must be accounted for in the color is the clarity. The best way to determine this is to turn the wood sample and view it from different angles. If the color appears to "flip" meaning it changes from light to dark, then the color was applied with NGR dye stains. The alternative is that the color will remain constant as you rotate it. This means that the color was formulated with tints or wipe stains.

When formulating the dye stain, once you determine how much clarity and "grain pop" you have to determine how much red, yellow, and blue the color has. Much of this is just trial and error. In fact, most finishes in order to match them effectively, you'll have to use a combination of NGR dye stains and tints.