Using food coloring to paint projects

IIRC most food grade colors are water based – you might mix a small (Tsp or Tbsp sized) batch first. UV stability might also be an issue.

-- Derek, Bremerton WA --

Here is a quick link to many methods of coloring. What you are looking for is in the “Adding Colorants: Common household colorants” part of this article, about four-five sentences into it, where it talks about food coloring.

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

I never thought about using Food Coloring to dye woods, and this from someone with a culinary background. I’ve got a few things to try out now. Very informative article Steve, thanks for the link.

-- Respect your shop tools and they will respect you - Ric

I’ve recently used “RIT” fabric dye successfully as wood stain on a couple projects where I wanted “unusual” colors (red, purple & yellow) with the grain also showing. You just mix it with water. Very easy to use, comes in a lot of colors & you can probably mix them for more, and WAY cheaper than the purpose-made colored wood stain powders I’ve seen at places like Rockler. Although the items I’ve dyed have not been around too long at this point, I would expect fabric dye to be more durable than food coloring, in terms of light exposure, etc.

Dan

Nice link, Steve.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

thanks Steve very helpful

-- Rick Kruse, Rick's Rustics Handcrafted wood products Grand Rapids, MI