The main Dyes I use are Black, Brown, Yellow, and Red. They are primary colors, except for brown ( red, yellow, and black )
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These dye concentrates are products from Insl-X /Coronado Paint. It's tough to find any information about them on their web site. They are meant to be used as lacquer toners, but can be thinned for use with other solvents such as acetone. They do not raise grain.
I mainly use brown and tint it with red and yellow. It takes VERY little red to change the cast of brown into a "red mahogony" and I'll use yellow to brighten it up, or turn the cast to an "orange". A little third grade color theory goes a long way LOL.
Other easier stains to obtain are the NGR stains. There are a whole range of products that can be used as spray on stains and toners, and many of them come in premixed colors as well as primary colors. It doesn't take much messing around to figure out how to emulate amodern HW brown, or an old dark "HW 55" amber.
There are compatiblity issues with the dye solvents. Some solvents will cause color separation and others can coagulate, so be sure to find out what solvents are compatible with any dye.
The key to getting stains right is to know how they gain depth and richness of color once the finish has been applied. You have to experiment a little to get a feel for it. They spray on looking like a dull thin paint. You think you've lost all grain definition until you hit the stock with the sealer. You also need to get a feel for how much to apply, as they will "muddy up" your work if overused.
HTH
Keith Knoblauch