Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Gun Building and Repair => Topic started by: rollingb on March 09, 2009, 06:34:35 PM

Title: Mixing stain types
Post by: rollingb on March 09, 2009, 06:34:35 PM

I have a little alcohol based stain, and a little oil based stain,.... I'm thinking of mixing the two together to refinish a walnut gun stock.

Is this a good idea?
Have any of you fellas ever tried mixing two different "types" of stain?
If so,... did you like the results?

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Post by: Gordon H.Kemp on March 09, 2009, 07:04:04 PM

Rollingb, never tried it , If you do let me know the results? Years ago when i was in building construction we had "Grainers" they would mix up all kinds of concoctionsn and when they finished you couldn't tell a metal door from the real wood doors.

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Post by: Mitch on March 09, 2009, 07:12:31 PM

you'll be able to "tell" as soon as you mix them...should work, but you could have the two separate...can't hurt to try it, we do "stuff" like that all the time here in the paint store..

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Post by: rollingb on March 09, 2009, 07:56:32 PM

OK,... I'll give it a try with a 50/50 mix and report back after I get the gun stock ready for finishing. :rt th

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Post by: Three Hawks on March 09, 2009, 08:03:11 PM

Quote from: "rollingb"

OK,... I'll give it a try with a 50/50 mix and report back after I get the gun stock ready for finishing. :rt th

Spirit stains and oil stains make a nasty gelatin stain that is good for filling up garbage cans.

Don't ask.

Three Hawks

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Post by: rollingb on March 09, 2009, 08:12:53 PM

Quote from: "Three Hawks"

Quote from: "rollingb"

OK,... I'll give it a try with a 50/50 mix and report back after I get the gun stock ready for finishing. :rt th

Spirit stains and oil stains make a nasty gelatin stain that is good for filling up garbage cans.

Don't ask.

Three Hawks

When you say "spirit" stains,... does that include alcohol based stains?

I figgered that since alcohol "cuts" oil, the 2 types might mix well,... maybe I figgered wrong.

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Post by: pathfinder on March 11, 2009, 08:51:50 PM

The alcohol will cut oil, the problem is the type of pigment used to make the stain. I buy two different types of pigments for my re-finishing shop,oil and spirit. Oil pigments are used mostly to provide a higher hiding type finish or more highlighted effects. Spirit type penetrate deeper and give more depth to the color. Mixing is usually not a good idea,might work,might not.

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Post by: rollingb on March 11, 2009, 09:38:08 PM

Thanks folks for the replies,... I bought more stain this morning instead of trying to be frugal and tempting fate.  :shake

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Post by: Three Hawks on March 11, 2009, 11:10:24 PM

"Spirit" = "Alcohol"   There are many kinds of alcohol used in industry, beverages and cosmetics just as there are many oils used in all of the above.  Some alcohols cut some oils.   Some alcohols mixed with some oils result in a gooey gelatinous, sometimes toxic or unstable inflammable, even explosive  mess.  Sometimes just unpleasant.  

Ya pays yer money and  ya takes yer chances.

Three Hawks