Staining to bring out beauty

[Kitsu]

what is the best light color stain for bringing out the beauty of a whitewood, if it is even possible,

also, it doenst need to be a stain, any kind of finish that can bring out the grain would be helpful,

i know this more than likely has been asked already, but oh well

i would prefer something with barely any glossyness to it, but if i have to i will accept it, so long as the grain shows up and sticks out.

(the reason i ask, is becaise i have some REALLY tight ringed maple, and i was hoping to make it stick out and show off its beauty when i finish the bow, (wont be pics this time, sorry, still gota get a new camera, i might take pics when i get a new one)

[Pat B]

One of my favorite colorations for a hickory is hand rubbed oil(bear fat) with finely ground charcoal. The charcoal gets into the grain and really shows it off without too much color. You can thin down leather dye with alcohol and get a similar "washed" effect. Do tests with any of these to be sure it is dark enough or light enough for you.

[Kitsu]

One of my favorite colorations for a hickory is hand rubbed oil(bear fat) with finely ground charcoal. The charcoal gets into the grain and really shows it off without too much color. You can thin down leather dye with alcohol and get a similar "washed" effect. Do tests with any of these to be sure it is dark enough or light enough for you.

i can get the charcoal, but.... as far as the "bear fat" i cannot get, i might be able to settle for some other kind of fat?

[sailordad]

when i stain white woods i take a dark stain and apply it
once the entire bow(or limb) is covered then i immediatly wipe it off(i never leave it on long)
this will allow just enough time for the early growth rings to absorb the stain,the later growth rings wont take it in as quick(especially if you burnish the wood first)

if you just want a sealer to bring out the grain
i have always used tung oil,it seems to bring out the grain nicely on unstained white woods
i have used it(both methods i mentioned)on hick and hhb.

not that my way is the right or only way,but it works well for me 

[Gordon]

I use leather dye on white woods.

[George Tsoukalas]

These days I use water based stains or Rit dissolved in alcohol. The Rit is mor work but you can do some fun stain jobs with different colors. Jawge

[bucksbuoy]

whatever stain you choose, I always recommend rubbing it on with a clean lint free rag. As opposed to a paint brush. Just makes for a nicer, smoother finish.

[sailordad]

V

whatever stain you choose, I always recommend rubbing it on with a clean lint free rag. As opposed to a paint brush. Just makes for a nicer, smoother finish.

Yup,i like a nice piece of cheese cloth