How to Finish it

[ScottS]

First time I have made one of these. Bass wood with two coats of seal coat on it but I’m completely at a loss as to how to finish it. Don’t want to paint it. Any suggestions?

[Pony]

Since you sealed it, your options are gel stain or paint.
Pony

[ScottS]

Thanks. What if I hadn’t sealed it?

[Pony]

Then you could have used any stain.
I forgot, you could use glazes too.
Sometimes I stain, then seal, then use water based paint.
Use your imagination!
Pony

[tdwilli1 (Tim Williams)]

You can add dye to poly or lacquer to tint it and spray it on. This was done that way.

[Pony]

I’ve never thought about adding dye to poly or lacquer. I’ll have to give it a try also.
Thanks,
Pony

[Mitch]

Unsealed/before sealing, I sometimes use dye in alcohol. Alcohol lets me move it around, blend it, and target grain for darkening/color change even after it dries (assuming an alcohol soluble dye )

For example, black dye sanded back with a high grit leaves the grain darker and the non-grain parts the base color of the wood. I can’t find any examples I’ve done on my photos but here is one I found