Coloring Puzzles?

[new2woodwrk]

What does one use to color wood puzzles?

I have Acrylic paint, but I'm concerned that painting the pieces would cause them to not fit properly after wards.

I've tried food coloring, but I can't seem to get a good coated color.

Thoughts?

Thanks as always in advance for your help

[Sycamore67]

It would be helpful to know what kind of puzzle and the kind of wood.

I have used Transtint type dyes that are dissolved in alcohol on Poplar.  

[new2woodwrk]

9 minutes ago, Sycamore67 said:

It would be helpful to know what kind of puzzle and the kind of wood.

I have used Transtint type dyes that are dissolved in alcohol on Poplar.  

Thanks @Sycamore67

Right now I'm using Poplar for woodimal type puzzles

[spirithorse]

Acrylic crafters paint like Apple Barrel brand can be diluted with water 
which will eliminate the problem you are mentioning about parts not
fitting after painting. This watering down, of course, will make the
paint more translucent than using it straight out of the bottle.

God Bless! Spirithorse

[Charlie E]

If you're looking for bright colors I really like Folkart Ultra dye. You can find it at Walmart.com, Amazon, etc. These cars were done with it.

[NC Scroller]

I have painted both poplar and pine puzzles with acrylic craft paint and not had an issue with the wood swelling to the point the pieces no longer fit.  Yes you will get minimal swelling especially when it is still wet but not enough to ruin the puzzle.  Just make sure you apply thin coat(s) of paint.   I have even thinned the paint with water at times to make it more of a stain than paint. 

Edited January 13, 2020 by NC Scroller
typo

[barb.j.enders]

I haven't painted the woodimals but I did buy a bunch of the Unicorn Spit stains that I am quite liking the way they go on.  It is a water based product so it can be thinned and easy to clean up.

[Rolf]

I like working with alcohol dyes. 

Charlie E., Those are some intense colors.

[Bill WIlson]

You can try RIT fabric dyes.  I've used them and they work pretty well.  

[teachnlearn]

I'm considering Bills idea of Fabric dyes and looked up Rit. They have a variety of dyes.

https://www.ritdye.com

Rit supplies a nice pdf on colors and charts.

Download PDF

[orangeman]

On 1/12/2020 at 5:15 PM, new2woodwrk said:

What does one use to color wood puzzles?

I have Acrylic paint, but I'm concerned that painting the pieces would cause them to not fit properly after wards.

I've tried food coloring, but I can't seem to get a good coated color.

Thoughts?

Thanks as always in advance for your help

I use food colors but it has taken me 9 years to perfect the technique!  Not something I can spell out in a couple paragraphs.

I invite you to some see my colored puzzles at the Fairhope, AL Arts and Craft show - March 20-22, 2020.

bb

www.pickenspuzzles.com

 

[new2woodwrk]

2 hours ago, orangeman said:

I use food colors but it has taken me 9 years to perfect the technique!  Not something I can spell out in a couple paragraphs.

I invite you to some see my colored puzzles at the Fairhope, AL Arts and Craft show - March 20-22, 2020.

bb

www.pickenspuzzles.com

 

Thanks - that's about a 4 hour drive for me

[teachnlearn]

44 minutes ago, new2woodwrk said:

Thanks - that's about a 4 hour drive for me

I can dip an egg for Easter. Anything past that is too complex. RJF

[Roberta Moreton]

I also like the Unicorn Spit. Can be mixed for unique colors too 

[BadBob]

You might want to try Aniline Dyes mixed with alcohol. Denatured alcohol does not raise the grain like water.

I make painted tray puzzles and only paint the top of the pieces.

 

[Puzzleguy]

i am very curious about Unicorn Spit  -do the colors bleed into one another when dry , does it raise the grain on soft woods

and does it rub off on hands or clothing -looking for a permanent easy to use (and easy to clean )

also are gloves necessary ?  Thanks

Edited January 19, 2020 by Puzzleguy

[NC Scroller]

59 minutes ago, Puzzleguy said:

i am very curious about Unicorn Spit  -do the colors bleed into one another when dry , does it raise the grain on soft woods

and does it rub off on hands or clothing -looking for a permanent easy to use (and easy to clean )

also are gloves necessary ?  Thanks

There is was a detailed threaded on Unicorn Spit on the other forum last year.  Gloves are a must.

[new2woodwrk]

34 minutes ago, NC Scroller said:

There is was a detailed threaded on Unicorn Spit on the other forum last year.  Gloves are a must.

Is this the thread?

 

[meflick]

3 hours ago, Puzzleguy said:

i am very curious about Unicorn Spit  -do the colors bleed into one another when dry , does it raise the grain on soft woods

and does it rub off on hands or clothing -looking for a permanent easy to use (and easy to clean )

also are gloves necessary ?  Thanks

 

1 hour ago, new2woodwrk said:

Is this the thread?

 

I think the detailed thread on the “other forum” that Scott referred to is over on the forum for the magazine, “Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts”. There are a couple threads over there discussing ”Unicorn Spit.” There was one by @Jim McDonald where he did different experiments with diluting. It is here: https://forum.scrollsawer.com/forum/scroll-saw/wood-finishing-and-painting/864165-unicorn-spit-experiment

in my little use so far of it, which has been limited, I did not notice it really raising the grain but I used it “full strength” without diluting it. Once completely dry, I did not notice it rubbing off at all. It is probably a little more “stain” then “paint”. I did have it “stain” my hands a bit when I didn’t use gloves, but it cleaned off easily with soap and water as best I recall but did try to use gloves when I used it. It was just as easy to use and cleanup as using acrylic paints.

[NC Scroller]

3 hours ago, new2woodwrk said:

Is this the thread?

 

No.  See the thread that Meflick posted above.