Adding Color to Clear Finishes
You can add small amounts of colorant to clear pre-catalyzed varnish to create a toner. April 17, 2010
Question
I am looking to add some color to one of my last clear coats to deepen it a bit. Any help or direction would be appreciated. I use ML Campbell stains and Magnamax.
Forum Responses
(Finishing Forum)
From contributor F:
You can add 10% microton to the magnamax to create a toner.
From the original questioner:
Does it matter if it’s the last coat or should there be a clear over that as well?
From contributor F:
I like to put a clear over it, just to help prevent it from getting worn away over time.
From contributor J:
We use the Microton in a thinned coat of MagnaMax, then follow up with a regular weight topcoat. You might find more info here by searching for "toner."
From the original questioner:
Will it darken the color or make it deeper?
From contributor J:
A light red toner over a light red stain will make a deeper red, also a darker one. Thin 4 oz of Max with 8 oz of thinner and add 1 oz of Microton that you think is the right color. Spray a mist coat over some panel you've finished like the project. See what you get. Not enough - spray it again. Too much - move faster or cut back on the dye. We use Max and Microton sprayed out of touch-up guns all the time to blend and highlight as well as full bore toners to start a color or to push one that needs a tweak.
