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I like the results I get with Danish oil and the ease of application, but I’m getting bleeding problems when I try to get a traditional spirit based stain into the engraving. The photo below shows a couple of things that I’ve tried on a test piece. Each time I wiped the stain off with a turpentine soaked rag almost immediately.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to get a better result? I don’t mind doing a bit of sanding, but the engraving is less than 1mm deep. Do paint a Danish oil get along together.
If it was me I would stain it dark , and seal it with shellac , then fill the carving in with black or white acrylic paint , then wipe off the excess …
Before you carve the detail, apply sanding sealer and let it dry. After you carve and clean it up, apply sanding sealer and let it dry. Make sure you use enough sealer to soak that wood. After that you should experience less bleeding.
If you used black paint instead, do three light coats of quick drying matte clear coat prior to painting after sealing. Then, you can just wipe away the excess paint (and sand only if necessary).
Yes. The first helps with fuzzies. The 2nd goes into the engravings to seal them up. Really slop it in there and let it dry. I apply with paper towel… no biggie.
Sometimes, I v-carve when it is a little damp - not completely dry. Provides a nice cut. A quick light sanding before carving makes a nice smooth surface and helps with a clean shear on the v-bit as well.
Not as much. You could also hit it with a coat or two of clear coat as well. Paint is the right choice here, but Danish oil should sit up and eventually harden even if it doesn’t soak in. Did you try this approach already?
Here are a couple I have done, it is a technique used on the Aztec Calendars (star Wars and Marvel) Designs by Phil does something very similar with stain, Shelac then fill with paint as well.
MDF
Heavy coat of Shelac
Lightly sand with 320 grit
Spray with copper paint
Blot in Acrylic black, using damp cloths wrapped TIGHT around a block in small sections wipe off the paint. A final cleaning after the paint dries can be done with water and or mineral spirits
If you are going to paint use a spray clear coat matte and use three coats. Then, slop paint into the engraving. Wait 24 hours. Then sand over the top with 150 grit (rough is key) to remove the excess paint and clear coat from the surface. Then apply danish oil. Make sure your Danish oil is “polymerized” so it will harden. Danish oil is supposed to have polymers in it I believe.
Have you tried painting the board, then put painters tape over entire surface, has to be flat no bubbles. Then carve, leave tape on and paint again. Let dry 24 hours before pulling tape off.
If I was doing this again, I would simplify the design as some detail was too fine at this scale resulting in a bit of chip out. But over all I’m pretty pleased. One benefit of Earwigger’s technique is that the paint helps to hide engraving imperfections
