Trouble with Staining

[xBengalSlicedx]

Hey guys,

I've been working on a few pipes lately and I'm running into a problem with staining. It seems that my stains aren't setting, so that when I take them to the buffer, the stain comes off easily. I've used both Fiebing's as well as home mixed aniline dyes (with denatured alcohol). I use several coats, each time lit with a lighter, and then buff with tripoli. But when I buff it takes the stain off and my pipe feels almost waxy. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, but it seems that my stains don't set and just sit on the surface.

 

[seanv]

How long are you letting them sit before buffing

 

[xBengalSlicedx]

How long are you letting them sit before buffing

Not long, a couple of minutes. Does the stain set more over time? I thought that lighting the stain would speed that up.

 

[BROBS]

Not long, a couple of minutes. Does the stain set more over time? I thought that lighting the stain would speed that up.

no you need to let completely dry. also you may need to do multiple coats.. are you staining, flame, staining, flame, staining, flame, etc etc and wiping with a rag in between?
also how smooth is the pipe? is it polished already like a cue ball?

 

[xBengalSlicedx]

I don't normally wipe in between, that could be part of the problem. Letting them dry longer, also.

Most of the pipes I stain are very smooth, as I obsessively sand with micro mesh to my finest grit (12000, if I recall from the top of my head)

no you need to let completely dry. also you may need to do multiple coats.. are you staining, flame, staining, flame, staining, flame, etc etc and wiping with a rag in between?
also how smooth is the pipe? is it polished already like a cue ball?

 

[Country Bladesmith]

I don't normally wipe in between, that could be part of the problem. Letting them dry longer, also.

Most of the pipes I stain are very smooth, as I obsessively sand with micro mesh to my finest grit (12000, if I recall from the top of my head)

If you’re going to a buffer with tripoli compound, then you are probably wasting time and materials sanding to that high of a grit. Most tripoli is in the 1,000 grit neighborhood, roughly. Some pink no-scratch or white diamond compound will take better advantage of your high grit sanding. Even then, 12,000 is overkill.

 

[georged]

Stop polishing before staining.

Use 400 grit (actual sandpaper, not micromesh which measures differently) for the first application, 600 for the second.

 

[mikethompson]

You would want the bowl to be open to let the stain get absorbed right? Polishing would 'seal' off the pores. I would also suggest you let the stain set completely, maybe even overnight to be sure.

 

[ssjones]

I set with flame, multiple times. The pipe can then usually be finished by buffing with white diamond and carnuba wax.

 

[xBengalSlicedx]

Thanks for your responses! I haven't had time to do any staining but i will employ your advice. My major takeaways:

-Don't polish before sanding, let the buffer do that for me afterwards
-Stain & flame several times, wiping with a cloth in between (I wasn't wiping before)
-Let sit over night before buffing

I'll give this a shot when I can and let y'all know if my problem improves.

 

[BROBS]

Should help. I think the main thing is you were closing all the pores of the wood before it could take any stain!

 

[Country Bladesmith]

Should help. I think the main thing is you were closing all the pores of the wood before it could take any stain!

Probably. Buffing compounds have wax/grease carrier.