Homestead Dry Dyes
Rather than sitting on the surface, dry dyes penetrate deep into the wood for a transparent, natural look.
Item #
GRP5341

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.
(1) Homestead Dry Dye, 1 oz.
Weight | 1.3000 |
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Tech Spec |
|
Size | 1 oz |
Species | Antique Cherry, Black, Burnt Sienna, Cardinal Red, Cherry, Dark Mission Brown, Early American Maple, Lemon Yellow, Light Oak, Medium Green, Medium Reddish Brown, Orange, Turquoise Blue |
4.3 / 5.0
41 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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Start typing your question and we'll check if it was already asked and answered. Learn More
Browse 25 questions
Browse 25 questions
and 27 answers
Why did you choose this?
Rockler Store
Experimenting with Maple
Edward b
on Aug 6, 2018
used before and really like these dye stains for furniture.
Gerald I
on Jul 6, 2018
Experimenting with Maple
Edward b
on Aug 6, 2018
I want to control the density of the dye, so powder is he way to go. Also I can choose different liquids for transferring the dye powder.
James H
on Jul 6, 2018
I want to control the density of the dye, so powder is he way to go. Also I can choose different liquids for transferring the dye powder.
James H
on Jul 6, 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
Can you mix these dyes into shellac? Or should I stick to transtint for that application?
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
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
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
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 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
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
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?
Can this be mixed in exopy for table tops?
BEST ANSWER: No I would use it on the clean fresh wooden table top first, then once it’s dry apply the epoxy over the top.
It is a water based wood dye, it may mix with waterborn epoxy and alter the color but it won’t dye the wood very well.
It is a water based wood dye, it may mix with waterborn epoxy and alter the color but it won’t dye the wood very well.
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- Russell F on Nov 26, 2018
- Purchased on Dec 7, 2016
Can this be used outdoors with wood epoxy to blend with gray teak wood cracks in sailboat toerail?
BEST ANSWER: In general, dyes are not for exterior use and may fade when exposed to sunlight. Your results may be better if you use a stain instead of a dye.
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- David Staff on Apr 11, 2019
What is used for a top coat ?
BEST ANSWER: Shellac sealer then 3to4 coats of lacquer, if for heavy use than just varathane
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- Gary T on Oct 12, 2018
- Purchased on Oct 11, 2016
Can i finish with food safe wood oil?
BEST ANSWER: This finish will absorb into untreated wood. Afterward it dries you have to seal it. That would leave you to chose among food safe sealers. (This dye will come away from and stain on contact when it becomes wet again...until it is sealed properly. The colors are truly bright, though)
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- Tal Z on Jul 13, 2018
- Purchased on Jul 19, 2016
Will this work on PVC, Azek?
BEST ANSWER: It will stain the PVC, it needs a binder though. It is missible in clear lacquer which should bond to the PVC
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- Inaccurate
- warner r on Dec 11, 2018
- Purchased on Dec 26, 2016
I am making wood blocks to sell to knife makers for handle material amd want to dye the curly maple i have. Will this dye penetrate deep enough so when they cut into it the wood will still be dyed thru and not just the surface?
BEST ANSWER: I used this product on an ash turned bowl. However, I burned the surface of the bowl before applying the color which was also black... I liked the result, but wonder if the burning process opened the pours of the wood... Curly maple is very hard wood and sharp knives in time would probably cut into the finish... But, you need to try on a piece to know for sure if it meets your demands.
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- Earl C c on Oct 17, 2018
- Purchased on Oct 31, 2016
what can I use to add some white to this for a lighter color?
BEST ANSWER: the strength or depth is controlled by how much water you use when mixing
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- Thomas S on Dec 9, 2018
- Purchased on Jul 16, 2018
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
Is this due food safe?
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?
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