Want to add a bold color to your wood project - without covering the wood grain? How about dying the wood! Here's our complete guide on how to stain wood with RIT dye!
I love experimenting with different wood stains and trying fun colors of wood finish.
Recently, I wanted to test out the best pink wood stains, and I had a hard time finding good options.
I remembered how - years ago - I had experimented with dying wood with food coloring and had great success.
So, I decided to try using a dye to color wood.
And wow, I totally loved the results.
Today I am going to share my complete guide on how to stain wood with RIT dye - a super affordable dye that comes in TONS of colors and gives you super bright colorful results!
Looking for another option for bold stain color? Check out our tutorial on How to use Unicorn Spit!
Want help getting the perfect wood stain finish?
Be sure to grab our FREE wood stain troubleshooting cheat sheet, with the top staining problems + easy solutions for each!
How to stain wood with RIT dye
Supplies needed:
- RIT dye of choice
- Disposable bowl
- Foam paint brush OR disposable cloth
- Gloves
- Fine grit sandpaper (220+ grit)
- Wood sealant
Always wear gloves when working with dye or your fingers will be dyed!
How to stain wood with RIT dye - step by step instructions
It's easy to use RIT dye to color wood stain, and still allow the underlying wood grain to shine through. And, unlike paint, it will never peel or chip off!
Step 1: Test your dye color
When working with wood dye, you always want to test your color first to be sure you like the final results.
Either use a scrap cut off piece or a backside or underside of the piece to be sure you like how the color looks before committing to dying your entire piece.
Step 2: Mix with water (if desired)
You can simply squirt the dye into a plastic bowl or plate and apply that to your wood, or you can choose to water down the stain. Watering down the stain will make it more transparent and give you less opacity.
To water down your dye, mix it in a disposable bowl. I recommend 1 part dye, 6 parts water. This ratio will give you a nice watercolor effect!
Step 3: Apply dye
Dip your foam brush or cloth into the dye (make sure to wear gloves!) Paint it onto the wood surface in the direction of the wood grain.
Work in a small section at a time and immediately wipe any drips or pooling.
Once you have finished the area, use a clean cloth or brush to wipe off any excess.
Repeat until you have finished your project.
If you are dying a super small wood item, you can actually dip or submerge it in the dye for a quick, flawless finish!
Step 4: Let dry
Let dry completely.
Step 5: Sand lightly
I have found that staining with water or dye tends to slightly raise the grain of wood, meaning you will feel the ridges of the grain with your fingers if you run the wood.
To combat this, sand gently with a fine grit sandpaper. Don't push too hard - that will remove the color - just enough to smooth it out.
Wipe clean of all dust when you are finished.
Step 6: Seal
I definitely suggest applying a sealant over dyed wood. This will protect the wood and keep the dye from rubbing off the wood and onto other nearby items.
Apply a clear coat with a paintbrush. Let dry completely before handling. Here's my guide on how to seal stained wood!
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Hello, I'm Morgan, half of the creative force behind CharlestonCrafted.com! With a passion for DIY that dates back to 2012, I've transformed three homes and now I'm dedicated to helping others craft their dream spaces. Let's turn your house into a home together!
