"aging toner"

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Any ideas on concocting some aging toner using NGR stains. I'm thinking of mixing a little yellow, brown, and possibly a little orange in minute amounts into some clear lacquer. Suggestions welcome.

Sould I allow for enough coats (maybe 3) so as not to sand through it when wet sanding? (it's really only for the binding and pearl).

Thanks!

[Stephen Perry]

I just use instant coffee in water for aging wood. That and a little UV goes a long way!

[thistle3585]

In the StewMac guitar finishing book, Don recommends yellow, brown and red stain mixed in clear lacquer. He mentions that you are trying to get to more of a gold color than a yellow color.

[Paul Hostetter]

I use Angelus or Fiebing's leather dye (and definitely not the oil stuff Stew-Mac sells) for tinting lacquer. It comes in every color in the rainbow, and because it's intended for leather, which shares chroma with wood, it works really well. I have about 20 bottles of different browns, orange, yellow, reds, and so on, and it makes a rather complete palette.

Best is to get the color laid down first, then coat with clear, and not abrade through that. This is pretty easy with good prep and a good airbrush: almost no rubout necessary.

Ivoroid binding tints itself without any help, if you're patient. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

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Thanks Paul - that is what I intend to do. I'm going to mix a few colors and spray twice and finish with additional coats of clear. I'll keep it a little light in color for future natural toning. I'll shoot for a little bit of gold, as opposed to yellow.

[Rick Turner]

I love the metal acid dyes that are MEK soluble made by US Cellulose. You can use them directly on the wood for a real old-time look or mix them with just about any reasonable finish. The colors really pop and they are light-fast.

[Dale Ludewig]

I agree.

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Dale/Paul/Rick - Thanks all. I just "winged" it with a small portion of yellow, orange, and brown dye mixed with the lacquer and it turmed out perfectly. It matches the binding on the original beck perfectly. If it darkens a little in the next thirty years, I probably won't be around to see it, so I guess it is OK.