: Anyone ever try using analine dyes on their kayaks?

: I have used it for years in furniture making. The clarity of dye, as opposed
: to stain, is remarkable. I am toying with the idea of tinting my lightly
: colored cypress strips to be a little darker.

: Chuck

Yes. The trouble using a dye on a kayak is the wood needs to be dyed before any of it is sealed with epoxy and dye only colors the surface so all sanding must be done prior to dying.

On a S&G the plywood panels will need to be dyed and seal coated prior to cutting to keep the dye on one side and to keep the stitch holes and cut fibers form darkening. I you don’t mind a darker fringe at the cut fibers the plywood needs to be dyed and seal coated just prior to stitching. This is out of order for the seal coat but if you do it later you will have tool scars on the dyed surface by time you are ready for epoxy.

On a stripper you have to sand and fair the hull after the strips are installed so they cannot be dyed prior to assembly. With the hull and/or deck assembled it is impossible to selectively dye some of the strips without the dye bleeding, so the whole surface will have to be dyed.