Liberon Spirit Wood Dye

Description

Liberon Spirit Wood Dye is an ethanol-based wood dye designed for colouring new, old and reclaimed timber. It is particularly suitable for dense hardwoods such as oak, mahogany and walnut and is widely used for furniture restoration.

The dye penetrates into the wood to provide a rich, even colour while allowing the natural character and grain of the timber to remain visible.

Liberon Spirit Wood Dye is available in a range of traditional wood colours, and the different shades can be mixed together to create intermediate colours.

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Liberon Spirit Wood Dye Colours

Priory Polishes supplies Liberon Spirit Wood Dye in the following colours:

• Antique Pine
• Light Oak
• Medium Oak
• Dark Oak
• Teak
• Walnut
• Georgian Mahogany
• Ebony

The colours can be mixed together to create intermediate shades and help achieve a closer colour match when restoring furniture.

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What Can Spirit Wood Dye Be Used On?

Liberon Spirit Wood Dye is ideal for a wide range of interior woodworking and restoration projects, including:

• Antique furniture
• Wooden furniture
• Oak furniture
• Mahogany furniture
• Walnut furniture
• New timber
• Old and reclaimed timber
• Wooden doors
• Wooden cabinets
• Interior woodwork

It is particularly useful when you need to restore colour to stripped timber or blend a piece of furniture to match existing woodwork.

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Why Use Liberon Spirit Wood Dye?

• Ethanol-based wood dye
• Ideal for furniture restoration
• Suitable for dense hardwoods
• Suitable for new, old and reclaimed timber
• Penetrates deeply into the timber
• Available in traditional wood colours
• Colours can be mixed to create intermediate shades
• Easy to apply by brush or cloth
• Can be finished with suitable wax, oil or varnish

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How to Use Liberon Spirit Wood Dye

1. Ensure the surface is clean, dry and free from dust, wax, oil, grease and existing finishes.
2. If stripping of a previous finish is required, see our helpful guide here. Liberon Fine Wood Stripper with Steel Wool, is ideal for this.
3. Fill any holes, splits or gaps with a Wood Filler or smaller chips with a Wax Filler.
4. Sand the timber thoroughly and remove all dust.
5. If required, complete any filling or repairs before applying the dye.
6. Shake the tin well before use.
7. If more than one tin is required, mix the tins together in a clean container to ensure a uniform colour.
8. Apply one liberal coat of Liberon Spirit Wood Dye using a brush or lint-free cloth, working with the grain where possible.
9. Allow the dye to penetrate the timber, then remove excess dye with a clean cotton cloth.
10. Allow the dye to dry thoroughly before applying any further finish.

For a stronger colour, a second coat may be applied where suitable, although it is important to test first as a subsequent coat can lift the first coat on some woods.

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Spirit Wood Dye for Furniture Restoration

Liberon Spirit Wood Dye is particularly popular for antique furniture restoration.

It can be used after stripping old finishes to restore colour to bare timber, match replacement sections or alter the colour of a piece before applying a protective finish.

Spirit Wood Dye is especially useful on hardwoods such as oak, mahogany and walnut, where its deep colour can help enhance the natural character of the timber.

When restoring valuable or antique furniture, always test the dye on an inconspicuous area or spare piece of the same timber before treating the entire surface.

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Liberon Spirit Wood Dye vs Palette Wood Dye

Liberon Spirit Wood Dye is ethanol based, while Liberon Palette Wood Dye is water based.

Spirit Wood Dye is particularly well suited to dense hardwoods and furniture restoration, while Palette Wood Dye is a useful water based alternative for colouring interior bare wood.

Because this is ethanol based it is high in Volatile Organic compounds (VOC). Liberon Palette Wood Dye is water based so is low in VOC but does not have as good coverage on hard woods.

If you are restoring antique furniture or working with dense hardwood such as oak, mahogany or walnut, Liberon Spirit Wood Dye is an excellent option when a traditional spirit-based dye is preferred.

Do not mix spirit-based dyes with water-based dyes or white spirit-based dyes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Liberon Spirit Wood Dye used for?

Liberon Spirit Wood Dye is used to colour new, old and reclaimed timber. It is particularly suitable for furniture restoration and dense hardwoods such as oak, mahogany and walnut.

Is Liberon Spirit Wood Dye spirit based?

Yes. Liberon Spirit Wood Dye has an ethanol-based formula.

Can Spirit Wood Dye be used on oak?

Yes. Oak is one of the hardwoods for which Liberon Spirit Wood Dye is particularly suitable.

Can Spirit Wood Dye be used on mahogany?

Yes. It is ideal for colouring dense hardwoods such as mahogany and is available in shades including Georgian Mahogany.

Can Spirit Wood Dye be used on walnut?

Yes. Walnut is another suitable hardwood, and Liberon Spirit Wood Dye is available in a Walnut colour.

Can I mix Liberon Spirit Wood Dye colours?

Yes. The different colours can be mixed together to create intermediate shades and help achieve a more precise colour match.

How do I apply Liberon Spirit Wood Dye?

Apply the dye to clean, bare and prepared timber using a brush or lint-free cloth. Allow it to penetrate before removing excess dye with a clean cotton cloth.

How long does Spirit Wood Dye take to dry?

Drying time is approximately 1 hour. Always follow the instructions on the product packaging supplied with your dye.

Can I apply wax over Liberon Spirit Wood Dye?

Yes. Once the dye is completely dry, it can be finished with a suitable wood wax. This is a popular finishing method for furniture restoration.

Can I apply oil over Spirit Wood Dye?

Yes, a suitable wood oil can be applied once the dye is fully dry. Always test first, particularly with oil-based finishes, as excessive brushing can disturb the colour.

Can I apply varnish over Spirit Wood Dye?

Yes. Liberon Spirit Wood Dye can be finished with a suitable wood varnish once fully dry. Apply the first coat carefully and avoid excessive brushing, which may disturb the stain.

Can Spirit Wood Dye be used under French Polish?

Care is required. Although current Liberon guidance advises that Spirit Wood Dye is not compatible with French polish and shellac-based sealers it is often used by professional polishers. Always test first for compatibility and final appearance.

Can Spirit Wood Dye be used on reclaimed timber?

Yes. Liberon Spirit Wood Dye is suitable for new, old and reclaimed timber, provided the surface is properly prepared.

Does Spirit Wood Dye raise the grain?

Spirit-based dyes can raise the grain on certain woods, particularly some softwoods. Applying thin coats and testing on a small area first can help you assess the result before starting the full project.

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Please note –

Always do a test area before starting any project to assess product suitability and final finish. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the tin at all times.

Ensure sure you have sufficient dye to finish the work. Do not mix spirit based dyes with water based dyes or white spirit based dyes. Application of a second coat may lift the first coat. Caution must be taken when using oil based finishes over Liberon Spirit Wood Dye.

Keep brush strokes to a minimum as over brushing may lift out the colour.

Different types of wood produce different results. The colour example on the photos may not be a true representation of the actual colour as different woods will produce different shades.

Each 1 Litre tin covers approximately 8-16 m2.

Clean equipment with Methylated Spirit.

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Health and Safety
Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. Keep out
of the reach of children. Keep away from sources if ignition – No smoking. Do not empty into drains.
Wear suitable protective clothing and gloves. Use only in well ventilated areas.

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Safety Data Sheets

• Safety Data Sheet