Coolangatta Gold to Amber recipe!

[HarmonIser]

Hi Dingotone stain experts,
I can't see any reference to what type of stain Dingotone is - I assume it's alcohol based, but maybe it's water?
Anybody know?
I want to add some red and brown stain to the Coolangatta Gold I have, to make a vintage amber stain for my build, which is a flame maple veneer back and front on a GR-1SF - my build thread is here, with a pic of the desired shade on the first page.
https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=11121
Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree, and should simply be applying shellac?
Any help with this is gratefully accepted...

[Andy40]

Hi Harmoniser,

DT is an oil based product with no chemical driers which makes it unique, but it also takes about 5 to 7 days for each coat to cure.

I do not think that you will need to add any further stains to the Coolangatta gold to get a vintage amber type look, that being said , its all subjective.

I've seen your tests, its a bit hard to see what its going to look like until you put all of the coats one, in succession after each coat cures. With DT I usually put on 3 to 4 stain coats, then 3 - 4 intensifying coats. Then you'll see how dark it is.

If you still don't think it's very vintage amber, don't use the DT Finishing coats, use Tru oil instead. After about 3 to 6 months the Tru oil will 'amber up" over the Coolangatta gold.

Hope that helps

[wazkelly]

Well said Andy.

Cheers Waz

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[Andy40]

Hey Waz, I was going to put a link to your Explorer build so he could see what CG looks like, but I couldn't find it.

[wazkelly]

Hi Andy,
Build # 2 in my signature.
Great example of how the colour aged after using Tru Oil as a top coat. These shots were taken one year ago.
Cheers Waz https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210115/bd41bb46bef262d85d6b6f9c928fbccd.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210115/80ea512b7a07b17a985217487c36d8bd.jpg

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[wazkelly]

Trying not to hijack your thread and have posted shots taken a few minutes ago with a Mars Bar strategically placed to act as a universal colour reference marker to demonstrate the change in colour over time due to using Tru Oil over the top of DT Coolangatta Gold. It almost matches the gooey caramel in colour now compared to similar shot taken a few years ago.
Also posted similar for the EX5 which was a blend of CG & Outback Sunset plus the MMB4 which was just 40 plus coats of Tru Oil on Basswood.
Cheers Waz https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210117/6e3ecf50c5cb608f240d8998736a0a58.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210117/28b1207beee6247b8a043d55c64dcf4d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210117/f1ede47f6c2365e1d9930b82499e043f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210117/1b5d3ac81cbc9b075a7991d7248f0d15.jpg

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[Andy40]

Love the Mars comparison!

[HarmonIser]

Hey thanks for the response - great to see a range of finishes and their recipes.
I think I'm going to see what blends with CG (it's sooo gold!) to give me just a pale amber, and then top it off with tru oil or the like, which should darken over time. I'm thinking just a touch of brown, and a hint of red tint, so I'll just keep experimenting to tone down that gold somewhat.
I had thought I'd use lacquer, or shellac to finish it, but maybe they could mess with the stain, I don't know. Any advice?

[wazkelly]

I know DT is quite expensive but it will mix & blend with itself. Not so sure other stuff can due to the secret herbs & spices nature of the DT recipe.
Alcohol or oil based products that wash off in turps might blend but means plenty of experimentation will be required.
Personally, i would recommend buying another DT colour to mix in with your existing Coolangatta Gold as that way you know it will be compatible.
Cheers Waz

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[Andy40]

I agree with Waz. Also, if its too gold, I would lighten up on the coats.;)

Never tried shellac as a finish coat, I can't see why it wouldn't work, although i've heard shellac can be more finnicky than tru oil.

[wazkelly]

Finally found the 'Mars Bar' shot taken in April 2016, almost 5 years ago, that shows how golden yellow it was compared to now.

Here are the before and after shots to demonstrate the TO ageing process on DT Coolangatta Gold.

3895138952

[Andy40]

Wow that really darkened up

[wazkelly]

This guitar is like a Chameleon in that it seems to look different colours based on lighting and background.
This shot was taken last week and will post a few more on my own build diaries for both Explorers.
Cheers Waz https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210206/7f7f6554e3b28842fc38a61bfbad5581.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210206/77b061a98400454095f2d482b70b69c1.jpg

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