Overview
Dry dyes are designed to sink deep into the wood, coloring the fibers from within. This results in a transparent look with maximum shimmer, as light is able to penetrate and reflect off the natural grain. Homestead's Transfast® dry dyes come in a fine powder form and are mixed to exact specifications from the finest raw materials. Once dissolved, they can also be added to water-based clear finishes as toners or used to modify the color of off-the-shelf waterborne stains. Dyes contain no fillers or extenders; one ounce of dry dye makes two quarts of stain. Dye stains are colorfast and can be applied with brush, cloth, or sprayed. Available in a variety of popular colors, which can be mixed to produce an endless array of hues.
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Questions and Answers
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Browse 19 questions
Browse 19 questions
and 63 answers
Why did you choose this?
Rockler Store
I've always been curious about using dyes as opposed to stains and I'm currently working on a project where it doesn't matter if I screw it up.
Gavin S
on Jul 1, 2018
More control on "blotchy" woods like pine and maple. Easy to use.
Hobart G
on May 4, 2018
I've always been curious about using dyes as opposed to stains and I'm currently working on a project where it doesn't matter if I screw it up.
Gavin S
on Jul 1, 2018
I sanded a bench too much and stain will not work so I thought I would try dye instead to see if it will work on this bench.
Wanda B
on May 17, 2018
Can these powders be mixed in oil based clear gel stain?
BEST ANSWER: Steve Mickley has a free education site loaded with his articles on stains and dyes. This Q&A site does not allow direct links but you can google his name and his site is called "ask Him". He explains the difference in the chemical structure of water based dyes that chemically change the cells of wood during absorption and how pigment stains such as oil are not absorbed and do not chemically change the cell structure of wood. Pigment stains cover the surface of wood like paint. He mentions blotching when mixing dyes and pigment stains. Read his articles and see if you can get your answer. I refer to his articles all the time. You can also email him with questions.
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- Heather D on Mar 5, 2016
- Purchased on Jan 29, 2016
Can you mix these dyes into shellac? Or should I stick to transtint for that application?
Can you mix this with alcohol instead of distilled water?
BEST ANSWER: transtints would work better with alcohol
http://www.rockler.com/transtintreg-dyes
http://www.rockler.com/transtintreg-dyes
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- Rick H Staff on Aug 12, 2016
Is this dye uv resistant?
BEST ANSWER: No it is not UV resistant which is why I finished my outdoor project with 2 layers of Epifanes extra UV Filter varnish. The dye color will last much longer if the final finish has UV filter.
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- Heather D on Mar 5, 2016
- Purchased on Jan 29, 2016
Are these aniline dyes?
BEST ANSWER: Yes I believe they are. Just remember that a little powder goes a LONG WAYS.
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- Keith B on Jul 16, 2015
- Purchased on Apr 4, 2015
Can you use this to dye epoxy before filling holes?
BEST ANSWER: I mixed the dye with 5 minute epoxy to create an accent band of color in my turned piece. This worked well, however I strongly recommend a longer cure epoxy. I mixed two batches and could tell the difference in the two concentrations of powder.
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- Paul N on Jun 3, 2015
- Purchased on Dec 6, 2014
Is it is possible to mix the grey dye with something to achieve a grey with a slightly less brown tone?
BEST ANSWER: That's the great thing about dyes. With a water base dye you can make the hue as dark or as light as you want in order to get the color you wants you can mix colors together, either using the powder to mix the color, then adding water or mixing both colors with water first and then perfecting the color you want by combing the two or more colors to get your perfect color.
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- Catherine M on Jan 4, 2016
- Purchased on Dec 1, 2014
Is this product safe for use in dying children's building blocks, log cabin logs?
BEST ANSWER: I think it's no toxic and water based, it should be safe.
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- John H on Nov 26, 2016
- Purchased on Apr 2, 2015
How long does water based dye have to dry before clear coat of laquer?
BEST ANSWER: If the weather is warm, I would give it 6 hours. You will have to use retarder in bad humidity anyway.
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- DAVE L on Jun 26, 2015
- Purchased on Nov 26, 2014
We are trying to dye hardwood Sawdust for Incense. Can You Help?
BEST ANSWER: The color is really good!!! The best part it is that you can manipulate the color easy by mixing and diluting. Really good product. Just take caution!!! Check with the manufacturer to see if it's toxic if burned. I doubt it because it's water based.
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- John H on Apr 19, 2015
- Purchased on Apr 2, 2015
Is this dye 1 oz to 1 quart?
Has anyone ever tried to tint granite with dry dye?
How much coverage will the 1 ounce of dry dye provide?
BEST ANSWER: Last time I used it I mixed for a very dark color, probably used less than 1/4 of the recommended water... I've done 4 coffee tables and 2 end tables... A large dining table top...and still have some left in a can..sorry I wasn't more scientific...bottom line... It goes a long way.... Just make sure it dries, at least 24 hours before too coating...it goes on very dull, but pops with a top coat... Much better for uniform coverage than the oil based stains....
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- Larazie on Apr 19, 2017
- Purchased on May 26, 2015
what can I use to add some white to this for a lighter color?
Can I mix these dyes with a joint compound to use as a grain filler?
I am going to build a laminated longbow I want to use a wood dye it says indoor use only if I seal it will it be suitable for outdoor use while using in in climate weather?
Can you use this dye over previously stained and finished cabinets and if so how well does it change the existing color? I have medium orange oak cabinets. I am trying to either pull some of the orange out without making them extremely dark or make them a darker grey if possible. I was hoping I could degloss and sand them and not have to strip them for this dye to penetrate. Any advice?
Can I use this product to tint water base spar varnish for exterior door?
Reviews
4.4 / 5.0
39 Reviews
Simple, easy to use and manipulate. Stores well, like forever. Love these stains on maple - the depth is really cool.
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Homestead dye
I used to highlight the curly grain in some maple and it worked well.
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Wood Dye
Easy to use and has great color, Applied to a flag topped humidor
Water dye
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homestead dry dyes
wasn't to sure about this as a first time user, but love the results. Kiddie , toddler, rocker made out of !/2 inch birch ply, with interlocking slip joints, no glue or fasteners, and all held together with a turned dowel pin in the back...Love the two colors together
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Excellent like fact you can add more to increase the intensity of color you desire. Can't with liquid dye.
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Dry dies
I have used these to tint wood filler and epoxy, with great success.
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Dye success
I used the turquoise blue dye on a sanded thick slice of teak and the color was a perfect match to the sample. Intense color, too. I would use this brand again.
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Dark Mission Brown
This wood dye by Homestead worked just how I wanted, and maybe a little more. I used it to color some Walnut for small drawers, and the color is dark like I wanted. I was going for very dark color, and change my mind on the jel stain after this dye and the sanding sealer. Just this color alone is what I wanted.
Dark mission brown color.
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easy to use, create your own colors, take very little to make a lot of stain
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Great once you get comfortable with it.
It's certainly a better value for the money than any stain I've used. For a $14 bottle I've dyed a blanket chest and 3 cabinets and still have half the bottle left. I just use some cut up t-shirts as rags to apply it and it comes out nice and evenly, I would recommend doing 2 coats. Apply it once and wipe up the excess, sand it lightly after a few hours, apply it again, wipe up the excess again, lightly sand it again and after it dries totally begin applying your finish. I used minwax clear gloss polyurethane and minwax satin polyurethane and couldn't be happier with the results.
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