What do you think of this maple top ?

[AlexR]

Re: What do you think of this maple top ?

Dyes and stains are synonyms here. Stains are simply a dye in a carrier.....like water or alcohol. For furniture, stains have a finishing oil added usually so there is protection as well as the colour tint.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: What do you think of this maple top ?

Dyes are solvent + color. All they do in the end is to deposit color, and nothing else, on/in something.

Stains are solvent + color + binder. They are technically hard finishes.

Many people call things stains, when they are actually dyes.

 

[devastone]

Re: What do you think of this maple top ?

On guitars stains and dyes are not synonymous.

Dyes give a different look than stains because they get into the grain, that's why they have more of a 3D look. You can't buy dyes at your local Home Depot or Lowe's and you have to mix them yourself. The results are worth it though.

I posted a link about the differences a few posts back.