How to color fir lumber?

Lacquer shouldn't bother a water-based dye. I know shellac, with the alcohol, can lift a bit of it. You're down where they have real woodworking places, so you could do the milk paint option, too. Otherwise, don't know if there's a significant difference between one fiber dye and another.

You do realize that the latewood and the knots will reject dye, right? Make that part of your plan.

This isn't what you want, but I've found that the best way to finish scap turnings like that is to give a box of crayons to a couple of kids and let them go for it while the pieces spin.

But for your purpurses, have you thought of a tinted automotive clearcoat? Or tinted epoxy? Mix up some clear bartop epoxy, thin it with dye, and off you go!

Dye, ink, stain - any should work. Ink might be cheaper than dye. You'll see more of the grain by dying the wood and clearcoating. You'll see less of the grain by tinting the finish. Waterbased may raise the grain objectionably.

Arch Get some leather dye from the nearest leather place like Tandy. Cut it with alcohol and use as you like. Once dry, and it dries quickly, most finishes go over it easily.

Just another idea: charring with a torch, followed by wire brushing and wax. This raises the grain, and can produce some really nice surface patterns. Possibly decorate over that with rings or vertical lines of red nail polish.

I've had good luck with RIT followed by laquer - you can sand it back to reveal more grain, and you can dye two coloes in sequence and sand to get a polychrome effect

Thanks to y'all for good help. Since now I know it works for Bill, RIT/Deft seems easiest for me.

I may try boiling the finials with padauk or hematoxylin. Their shavings left in my shirt pocket sure colored a batch of laundry and almost ended my marriage!

Leo, does Lyn know that you are wire brushing? Surely you aren't chattering, but if you are, I won't tell. :)

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter