Tan Kote Evening Out My Stain Job

[Mannamal]

Currently making a belt. When it came time for coloring, I [reluctantly] went with ecoflo stain because I have some from my original tandy kit and want to use the stuff up. Going on I was disappointed, because it was streaking something awful despite my best efforts. I thought, "perhaps it'll buff out". So I let dry overnight. Come back to buff, and while some color is coming off, the streaks and splotches are still extremely distinguished. I dont have a mechanical buffer, and my arm is getting tired, so I figure "hey, if the stain comes off with the tan kote, then at least I get to try again for less streaks." But it didn't come off. Well some did, my rag is now a pretty orangey brown (originally white), but it took away only the streaks and splotches. It actually evened out the entire stain job and lightened it a bit (good, for me. I thought it went a bit dark). Not only that: beforehand I had attempted to resist a couple spots of tooling with 2 layers of the kote, and when I had put the stain on was disappointed that the resist didn't work. Come post-stain tan kote, the resist areas lighten more than the rest (not all the way, but enough), and I'm finding myself pleased.

So, sometimes tan kote taking some stain away is a good thing.

[Cyberthrasher]

Little off topic from the point of your post, but it sounds like you attempted to use the stain as a dye. Remember that stain was never really intended for overall coverage. It's mostly meant for highlighting the tooling where it will actually sit inside the impressions (hence the reason the kit bottle says highlighter stain). Tan Kote is actually porous as well, so it will allow things through. It's great for products that need to be oiled after they're done, but it's not so great as a resist for liquid antiques, which is what stains are. I've had minimal success with it as a resist for antique paste.

[Mannamal]

Good to know, I'll put some resolene on before antiquing. I did know the proper use for stain, but it was the color I wanted and instead of waiting for my paycheck to order the dye I just used it. Looks good! Thanks for the tips. Like your new...whatever your making that you posted to facebook.

[Cyberthrasher]

Thanks!

It's a solo chopper seat.

I'm glad you knew the use of the stain...seems like a lot of people aren't well informed there.

But, now you know what can happen with it. Sometimes it really does pay to hold off until we can get the right supplies. The end product is always that much better.

Edited July 10, 2013 by Cyberthrasher