Shellac on dyed cob

[Pelecabra]

I'm almost finished with a cool cob modification. I tried dying the rim red with fiebings leather pro dye, but it doesn't take very well, ends up much lighter/pastel looking. I was thinking that shellac would make it darker, so I tried putting on a thin layer, and it being suspended in alcohol just smeared the already pitiful dye around.

Any suggestions for how to get this shellac on without melting the rim dye, or how to make the rim look nicer? The dye and shellac took fine on the sides and bottom, not sure what's happening on the rim. Thanks!

 

[Briarcutter]

You may want to get a rag damp with alcohol and clean up the top and start over. If the cob is anything like wood, the end grain will take stain differently than the other section. Clean it up and stain it again. It may take more that one coat. Use a Q-tip to apply the stain then when you're satisfied with the color apply shellac.