Priory Polishes

DIY & Restoration Materials

Rustins Wood Dye – 1 Litre

(1 customer review)

Rustins Wood Dye is a quick-drying, penetrating wood stain designed to colour and enhance new or stripped timber. It is easy to apply, does not raise the grain and provides an attractive, even colour while allowing the natural grain of the wood to show through. Suitable for interior and exterior use, Rustins Wood Dye can be applied to bare wood before finishing with a suitable wood varnish, Danish Oil, Teak Oil or French Polish. Available in eight attractive shades, the colours can also be intermixed to create your own custom wood stain.

  • Quick-drying, penetrating wood dye
  • Suitable for new or stripped bare wood
  • Does not raise the grain
  • Non-fading and non-bleeding
  • Suitable for interior and exterior use
  • Colours can be intermixed to create different shades
  • Available in Pine, Light Oak, Brown Mahogany, Medium Oak, Dark Oak, Dark Teak, Walnut and Ebony

See Full instructions below

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Free UK delivery on all orders over £24Full step-by-step instructions below

Rustins Wood Dye – Quick-Drying Wood Stain

Rustins Wood Dye is a quick-drying, penetrating wood stain suitable for colouring new or stripped bare timber. It penetrates into the wood rather than forming a surface coating, enhancing the natural grain while providing an attractive, even colour.

Easy to apply and formulated not to raise the grain, Rustins Wood Dye is ideal for furniture restoration, woodworking projects and general wood finishing. It can be used on a wide range of timber and is suitable for both interior and exterior applications.

Once the dye has dried, the timber can be protected and finished using a suitable Rustins wood finish, including Quick Drying Varnish, Danish Oil, Teak Oil or French Polish.

Features and Benefits

  • Quick-drying, penetrating wood stain
  • Suitable for new or stripped bare timber
  • Does not raise the grain of the wood
  • Non-fading and non-bleeding
  • Enhances the natural appearance of timber
  • Suitable for interior and exterior use
  • Colours can be intermixed to create different shades
  • Can be used beneath a variety of Rustins wood finishes

Available Rustins Wood Dye Colours

Rustins Wood Dye is available in eight attractive wood shades, allowing you to match existing timber or change the colour of bare wood. The different colours can also be intermixed to create your own custom shades.

  • Pine: A light, natural-looking wood shade.
  • Light Oak: A soft oak-inspired colour.
  • Brown Mahogany: A rich brown shade with a traditional mahogany appearance.
  • Medium Oak: A medium-toned oak shade.
  • Dark Oak: A deeper, darker oak colour.
  • Dark Teak: A warm, deep brown shade.
  • Walnut: A rich brown walnut-inspired colour.
  • Ebony: A very dark shade for a dramatic finish.

Please remember that the final colour will depend on the original colour, type and absorbency of the timber, as well as the finish applied over the dye. Always test on an inconspicuous area before treating the whole surface.

Where Can Rustins Wood Dye Be Used?

Rustins Wood Dye is suitable for a variety of bare wooden surfaces and is particularly useful for furniture restoration and decorative woodworking.

  • Wooden furniture, tables, chairs and cabinets
  • Doors and interior woodwork
  • Wooden flooring and other suitable timber surfaces
  • Stripped antique and modern furniture
  • Woodworking and DIY projects
  • New or previously finished timber that has been stripped back to bare wood

For the best results, ensure all previous finishes, wax, polish and other contamination have been completely removed before applying the dye.

How to Apply Rustins Wood Dye

Correct preparation is essential to achieve an even colour. Rustins Wood Dye should be applied to clean, smooth, dry and dust-free bare timber.

1. Prepare the surface

Remove any existing paint, varnish, wax or polish before applying the dye. Existing coatings can be removed using a suitable paint and varnish stripper, followed by sanding where appropriate. If the wood has previously been waxed, remove all traces of wax using coarse steel wool and white spirit. Wipe away the residue with a clean cloth and allow the timber to dry thoroughly before sanding.

Any holes or imperfections can be filled using a suitable wood filler before staining.

2. Mix the dye

Stir the Rustins Wood Dye thoroughly before and during use, ensuring that any settled pigment is fully mixed and there is no sediment remaining at the bottom of the tin.

If using more than one tin to cover a large area, combine the contents in a larger container and mix thoroughly before application. This helps ensure a consistent colour across the whole surface.

3. Apply the dye

Apply evenly using a clean, dry, lint-free cloth in a warm, dry atmosphere. Work consistently across the timber to avoid uneven colouring.

Soft, absorbent woods may accept a second coat if required. Hardwoods should generally receive only one coat, as additional coats may not penetrate properly and could rub off.

4. Adjusting the colour

If a lighter shade is required, Rustins Wood Dye can be diluted with white spirit. The maximum dilution should not exceed two parts dye to one part white spirit.

All Rustins Wood Dye colours can also be intermixed to create different shades. Always test your chosen mixture on a spare piece of the same timber before applying it to the finished surface.

5. Apply a protective finish

Once the dye has dried, apply a suitable wood finish to protect the timber and complete the appearance. Rustins Wood Dye can be used beneath suitable Varnish, Danish Oil, Teak Oil and French Polish, among other compatible Rustins finishes.

Coverage, Drying and Compatibility

Coverage: Up to approximately 24m² per litre per coat, depending on the type and absorbency of the timber.

Application temperature: Ideally apply between 15°C and 25°C in a warm, dry atmosphere.

Cleaning: Application equipment can be cleaned using white spirit.

Compatibility: Suitable for use beneath Rustins wood finishes including Quick Drying Varnish, Danish Oil, Teak Oil and French Polish/Shellac. Rustins Wood Dye can also be mixed with Rustins Danish Oil and Teak Oil at up to 20%, although the best results are achieved by applying the dye directly to bare wood.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Rustins Wood Dye be used on previously varnished wood?

No. Rustins Wood Dye is designed for bare timber. Any existing varnish, paint, wax or polish must be completely removed before application. The wood should be clean, smooth, dry and dust-free.

Does Rustins Wood Dye raise the grain?

No. Rustins Wood Dye is formulated not to raise the grain of the timber, helping to achieve a smooth, attractive finish.

Can Rustins Wood Dye colours be mixed together?

Yes. All the available Rustins Wood Dye colours can be intermixed to create your own shades. It is advisable to mix a small quantity first and test it on a spare piece of the same wood before treating the main surface.

Can Rustins Wood Dye be diluted?

Yes. If you require a lighter shade, Rustins Wood Dye can be diluted with white spirit. The maximum dilution is two parts dye to one part white spirit. Always test the diluted mixture before applying it to your project.

How many coats of Rustins Wood Dye should I apply?

On soft, absorbent wood, a second coat may be applied if required. Hardwoods should generally receive only one coat. Applying additional coats to hardwood may prevent the dye from penetrating properly, causing excess colour to rub off.

Can Rustins Wood Dye be used outside?

Yes. Rustins Wood Dye is suitable for interior and exterior timber. However, the dye itself is not a protective exterior coating. Once dry, the wood should be treated with a suitable exterior wood finish to provide protection against weathering.

Can I apply varnish over Rustins Wood Dye?

Yes. Rustins Wood Dye can be used beneath compatible wood finishes, including Quick Drying Varnish. Allow the dye to dry before applying the protective coating and follow the instructions for the chosen finish.

Can I apply Danish Oil over Rustins Wood Dye?

Yes. Rustins Danish Oil is compatible with Rustins Wood Dye and can be applied over the dried dye to provide a protective oil finish. Always test the combination on a spare piece of timber first to check the final colour and appearance.

How much Rustins Wood Dye do I need?

Rustins Wood Dye covers up to approximately 24m² per litre per coat. Actual coverage depends on the type and absorbency of the wood. Soft, porous timber may absorb more dye than denser hardwoods.

Why is my Rustins Wood Dye coming out unevenly?

Uneven colouring can be caused by differences in the timber’s absorbency, incomplete preparation or inconsistent application. Ensure all old wax, polish and coatings have been removed, stir the dye thoroughly and apply it evenly. Always test the colour on an inconspicuous area first.

Can Rustins Wood Dye be used on furniture?

Yes. Rustins Wood Dye is ideal for colouring bare wooden furniture, including tables, chairs, cabinets and other restoration projects. The furniture must be stripped back to clean, bare wood before application, then protected with a suitable wood finish.

Important Safety Information

Rustins Wood Dye is flammable and should be used in a well-ventilated area. Keep away from sources of ignition and out of reach of children. Avoid contact with skin and eyes and follow the safety instructions on the product packaging and Safety Data Sheet.

Buy Rustins Wood Dye from Priory Polishes

Buy Rustins Wood Dye from Priory Polishes, available in eight attractive shades for colouring and enhancing bare timber. Whether you are restoring antique furniture, staining new wood or undertaking a woodworking project, Rustins Wood Dye provides an easy-to-apply, quick-drying colour before applying your chosen protective finish.

Browse our full range of wood stains and Rustins products for more wood finishing and restoration materials.

From our customers

What people are saying.

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Michael Woolrich
Michael Woolrich
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Rustins Wood Dye – 1 Litre

£20.95

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Free UK delivery

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Hand-mixed in Britain

Made in Clitheroe, Lancashire

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Family run

Three generations of restorers

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