Chartreuse Dye-Stained Table

Step 1:

- Cover work surface with a plastic drop cloth.

- Remove drawers from table. Sand wood table and drawers lightly.

- Remove dust with tack cloth.
Note: If working with finished wood, strip paint, varnish or wax from the item. Scrape and sand surface until smooth; wipe with tack cloth.

- Dye Preparation: Chartreuse is a custom color. Measure and mix ½ cup Lemon Yellow liquid dye with 1 teaspoon Kelly Green liquid dye. Add 2 cups very hot water. Stir well.
Note: Test dye color on a scrap piece of similar wood or underside of table. If color is too light, add more dye; if color is too light, add more water. Dye will appear lighter when dry.

- Wearing rubber gloves, apply dye to drawers and table. Dip a foam brush, bristle brush or old cloth into the dye solution and spread evenly over surfaces. The shape of the wood piece or the area may determine which to use. For example, a cloth works well on the legs. A bristle brush gets into the details around the drawers and a foam brush covers large flat surfaces evenly, like the table top. Let dry and, if necessary, reapply dye to achieve desired shade.
Note: When staining wood, keep dye hot for better absorption. Cover dye with plastic wrap and heat on high in the microwave for 1 - 2 minutes.

- Allow wood to dry completely.

- To seal dye-stained table and drawers, apply one or two coats of polyurethane. Rub lightly with steel wool between coats; remove dust with a tack cloth.

- For clean-up, simply wash paint brushes with mild soap and water. No strong chemicals are needed.