What source of Supply for Aniline Dyes? And...

[Shifting Shadow]

Hello bow builders,

I am looking to finish a laminated hickory bow. I want to dye it a Dark Mahogany color. From my limited experience hickory wood does not stain easily.

I have heard good things about water soluble aniline dye.

Where do I buy it?

And what finish to use on top of it? Can Tru-Oil be used?

Thank you O knowledgeable ones!

[DVSHUNTER]

I got my dye from Pine hollow.  True oil works well as a finish over it.

[Shifting Shadow]

DVSHUNTER, thanks!

[Shifting Shadow]

Anybody else?

[WestTexan]

I've had real good luck with Fiebing's Leather die but it's Alcohol based I think, got it from Tandy Learher.

[Shifting Shadow]

Thanks WestTexan. I honestly don't know why water based Aniline dye is so highly recommended for woods like hickory. Just trying to make an intelligent decision.

[Walt Francis]

I use Fibing's or some powered dyes mixed with denatured alcohol.  The alcohol based dyes dry faster and have worked well for me.  It just doesn't make sense to me to put water on wood that I have spent so much effort to dry and lower its moisture content.

[Bevan R]

Woodworkers supply. I have gotten all my aniline dies from them. They carry water, alcohol, and oil soluble.

[Shifting Shadow]

Thank you all!

[Roy from Pa]

Woodworkers supply here too, I use the alcohol type which you mix yourself with the powder. Goes on very easily and does a super job. One bottle of powder goes a long long way.

 http://woodworker.com/a-s-brt-yellow-golden-oak-aniline-dye-mssu-845-541.asp

[Shifting Shadow]

Roy from Pa, the color chart on your link is helpful. Natural Red Cherry is what I am looking for.

Friends, you have been very helpful!

[rainman]

Woodcraft or Rocklers.

[Shifting Shadow]

Thank you rainman.

[4est trekker]

I advise using an alcohol based stain, particularly on hickory as it is highly hygroscopic.  Also, alcohol stains allow you to easily touch up, blend colors, etc. to get a nice even finish.  You could always cut a little RIT dye into some denatured alcohol.  I've had good luck with that, even on hickory.  Another trick I've used that I learned from working in the cabinetry trade for use on hard-to-stain woods like hickory and maple is to apply a VERY light coat of spray lacquer prior to staining. Lightly sand this coat when dry (avoid steel wool if using water-based stains, as any tiny remnants will rust).  This helps give an even base over which to stain, particularly in areas where the endgrain is exposed.  

Regardless, always do a test run on a scrap piece!  Hope that helps  

[Shifting Shadow]

4est trekker,

Your reply helped a lot! There is so much to learn. I feel like such a beginner. But I guess one has to start somewhere.