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Hi.
I need to achieve sharp border between stained and clear wood (ash). I use water based pigment as I want the picture of the wood to be seen.
On the photo I put scotch tape (I also tried masking tape) on the upper part of the wood piece, diluted the pigment with water and rubbed the color with a rag. The pigment penetrated easily under the scotch (see photo). Piece is about 3 x 4 centimeters. I tried to use undiluted pigment – the result was better but the line still was ragged. It was also harder to rub undiluted pigment into wood.

Is there some technique for this task?

Thanks!

I've not tried it, but I saw a YouTube where they applied a wash coat of shellac first. From the video it sure appeared as if they were getting a clean line when they lifted the tape.
Again, I've not tried it. But it is easy enough to test.


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I tried some orange 3M tape I got at Autozone today.
It worked well, only a couple of small bleeds.
I applied shellac to the bindings with a small brush and the dye did not stick to it.
I put on several damp but not soaking coats of dye, letting each dry before the next.
Dan

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Most of the finishes you see done like that are done with tinted lacquers over the sealer and not stain on bare wood. But it can be done with stain as well, what you want to do is mask off the section you want to be blue and then seal the part you want to be natural. With a water based stain , shellac should be fine but if you are using solvent based stains you will need a sealer that will not be dissolved by your stain.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Burnish the tape edge with your nail or something smooth painters tape is made to make a barrier ,but you still have to make sure the adhesive has made contact.

^^^^ What he said. ^^^^

You have to smooth out the wrinkles in the tape (which are there to make it flexible).

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince