The very first attribute anyone looks for in a laminate gunstock is color. Does the color pop? Does the color have consistency throughout the material. Is color streaking present? Is color consistency present when looking over multiple gunstocks? These are a few of the issues we have addressed at C-K Composites regarding laminate gunstock. While there are many methods, techniques, products, and equipment available to dye veneer, it also takes a controlled process to get full penetration of the dye. Therefore, different results can be obtained simply by changing one or more of these variables.
Dye Options for Laminate Gunstock
Dye selection is a key element when producing a laminate gunstock. There are several liquid dyes available in addition to powdered dyes. And depending on the application and what your goals are will determine which choice is best. The great thing about dyes is that the colors you can create are endless! Here’s a sample of some dyed veneers http://www.veneeronline.com/speciesd.aspx?category=dydbdl
Dye Penetration
The next challenge is getting full penetration of the dye through the veneer. C-K Composites uses Grade A Baltic birch veneer in our laminate. Penetration is obtained through changes in environmental conditions; namely temperature, vacuum, and/or pressure, in addition to variables like dye concentration and dye medium. C-K has perfected this process to obtain optimum results. Please take a look at our results at www.ckcomposites.com/chromaply/
The Finish
Finally, the finish makes all the difference in the final appearance of laminate gunstock. Furthermore, everyone has their own ideas about what the “perfect” gunstock should look like. Weather using an oil, stain, or clearcoat, having a high quality laminate makes all the difference in the world. Regardless of what finish you choose, a laminate that has been dyed properly provides the key to getting the results you want.
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