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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Susquehannariverarcher on September 19, 2024, 08:39:10 PM

Title: Curly/birds eye maple
Post by: Susquehannariverarcher on September 19, 2024, 08:39:10 PM

Any tips on getting the grain on maple to pop on the riser section. I thought my finish would bring it out more. Just finished one with curly maple (only my 4th bow). My  next one is gonna be birdseye veneer and riser. I'm worried about thr riser being much lighter in color than the limbs.

Title: Re: Curly/birds eye maple
Post by: garyschuler on September 19, 2024, 09:31:14 PM

I have done a light stain with ebony stain and then sanded back to bare wood. The curl will absorb more stain and stay a little blackish grey and when finished the grain will definitely pop. I think you can search YouTube on this and find more ways to bring out the figure on Curly Maple and other figured woods.

Title: Re: Curly/birds eye maple
Post by: dbeaver on September 20, 2024, 07:46:50 AM

Go check out what instrument makers are doing, so many different grains and curl as well as colors and finish types on guitars out there. May be worth it to watch a few guitar finishing videos

Title: Re: Curly/birds eye maple
Post by: Smguinnip on September 20, 2024, 07:54:06 AM

Analine dies work well and offer multiple colors options. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Title: Re: Curly/birds eye maple
Post by: Smguinnip on September 20, 2024, 07:59:39 AM

Pretty easy to work with and fade from color to color or color to bare wood. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Title: Re: Curly/birds eye maple
Post by: Richard Korte on September 20, 2024, 10:30:47 AM

I’ve built several bows using highly figured Maple and have used Transtint dyes to achieve spectacular results. Transtint dyes are mixed with isopropyl alcohol and applied to the wood before any sealant or finish is applied. Watch the videos on dyeing electric guitars on the Internet for tutorials and give it a try. You will love it!    Richard
 

Title: Re: Curly/birds eye maple
Post by: Kirkll on September 20, 2024, 11:34:58 AM

Another method that can be used is burnishing it, or using heat. A high speed palm sander with 220 paper that's already worn out will work or even 320.  I also used a die grinder with a worn out sanding pad to burnish it.   You can also use a heat gun or a torch, but that can be dicey.

here is one that i did burnishing with 220 paper.

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
https://youtu.be/9Zn2bZ1MuJ8?si=OE-5aUactOHwyVGQ

Title: Re: Curly/birds eye maple
Post by: Susquehannariverarcher on September 20, 2024, 03:37:22 PM

Awesome. Thanks everyone for all the tips. I'm definitely going to expirement. And as usual all thr bows look great.

Title: Re: Curly/birds eye maple
Post by: Honest Jon on September 21, 2024, 07:48:51 AM

Plus one on analine dye. Hardwoods often don’t take well to wood stain but dye can be applied multiple times to achieve the color depth you’re looking for. Fine sanding or steel wool between coats helps make it all pop.