Color

[Crooked Stic]

Has anyone tried to add color to clear finish.
I use Krystal for years now. Cost effective and easy to use.
Maybe trantint might work?

[Longtoke]

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/supplies/finishing-supplies/colors-and-tints-and-stains/colortone-liquid-stains/?mtm_source=google&mtm_medium=cpc&mtm_campaign=%7C+GOO+%7C+SHOP+%7C+NBR+%7C+AllProductsUSA&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0Pu9yLyVhwMVnM7CBB1A_Au_EAQYASABEgIchvD_BwE

[Crooked Stic]

So you think this will work added to finish then sprayed?

[Kirkll]

So you think this will work added to finish then sprayed?

You might want to do some testing with that…. Adding a stain tint to a clear coat might end up with a failed science experiment…..

now they do make color epoxy tint that may be more compatible with clear coating. I used black mixed with EA-40 smooth on successfully.

For color tint I think I would play with an air brush and translucent paints first, then do you4 clear coating…. Check this stuff out.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/sXYhGGJQ3UfGM8MJ6

[Longtoke]

anytime you are mixing products I think "science experiment is a fair term"  good luck!

[Crooked Stic]

The fact of the matter testing will be in order. Curious to see if anyone has experience to share,  passion expected.

[Roy from Pa]

Kenny always mixes some pink into his finishes:)

 

[Crooked Stic]

 

[KenH]

As a luthier in my "other" free time, I've used the Stew Mac stains both directly and mixed with a water-based finish like Deft on all sort of hardwoods.  A little bit goes a looooong way.   

[kennym]

Roy, we know that's really you this time!! 

[Kirkll]

As a luthier in my "other" free time, I've used the Stew Mac stains both directly and mixed with a water-based finish like Deft on all sort of hardwoods.  A little bit goes a looooong way.

You are the second person I’ve heard of tinting water base finish… Some of that stuff is pretty decent too.  I used a water base Helmsman spar varnish on some outdoor furniture that was outstanding!!! Sprayed two coats and got over two years out of it now and it still looks good. It Holds up to UV rays much better than the oil base spar varnishes I’ve used a lot for years.

Very user friendly….

Hey Mike…. You might try that stuff with water base stain.    It would make a great bow finish….. if it wasn’t for the scratch resistance and durability I get out of my auto clear coat, I’d be using it on all my bows now.    Kirk

[Birdbow76]

Krystal, like all conversion varnishes is mainly used for coating cabinets and finish work. We've bought tinted varnish and lacquers for years from the distributer in Salt Lake City in any color you can think of. I get my finishes from Louis and Co.; I don't know if they're nationwide or not.

[Kirkll]

Krystal, like all conversion varnishes is mainly used for coating cabinets and finish work. We've bought tinted varnish and lacquers for years from the distributer in Salt Lake City in any color you can think of. I get my finishes from Louis and Co.; I don't know if they're nationwide or not.

Krystal conversion varnish is sub par to any epoxy finish or auto clear coating. The only thing that I can say good about it is that it’s user friendly… but the longevity isn’t there.

 It’s not really designed for exterior use. I used a lot of it years ago, and refinished a lot of bows with it down the road.  Kirk

[Crooked Stic]

The user friendly part of Krystal is the thing for me.
I have been using it for at least ten years and can say have had no complaints on it. Agreed epoxy may be tuffer but more than twice as expensive.

[Kirkll]

Epoxy finishes are a pain in the butt to work with, and... expensive. I gave up on it after watching too many beautiful bows yellow out over time.  The auto clear coat stays clear, and is every bit as durable....

Granted... there are some damn expensive auto clear coats out there too, and some are a nightmare to work with in anything less than a climatized spray booth, and experience using the stuff. The stuff i've been using for several years now is excellent to work with, and cost effective too.

[Crooked Stic]

If I could find that I would be willing to try it.
Is there a website for it?

[sman]

https://prolineperformanceproducts.com/product/euroclear-41-clear/