Aniline dyes color the wood as well as a stain, and they also preserve the appearance of the wood grain. Stains have pigments, solid particles that partially obscure the grain -- they are only semi-transparent. Successive coats will give the surface an increasingly muddy look. Dyes are liquid chemicals that penetrate the wood and color it from the inside out. You can still see and enjoy the grain figure. Here’s a quick primer on how to use aniline dyes. If you'd like to purchase the plans for th