How to Make a Red Stain

Pick out an appropriate shade of red from the Japan oil color family. Japan oil contains driers for a rich, quick drying finish. Possible shades of red are: American Vermilion, Bulletin Red, Liberty Red Medium and Poster Red. Any of the Japan oil colors can be mixed together to create different shades.

Put on a pair of rubber gloves to protect skin from the chemicals of the gum turpentine and boiled linseed oil.

Combine 7 oz. of boiled linseed oil with a quart of gum turpentine in a large glass bowl. Do not use bowls that will absorb the turpentine like plastic or wood.

Add 4 oz. of the Japan oil color(s) you chose to the base mixture.

Mix the color(s) and base mixture together thoroughly with a stiff-bladed putty knife. The resulting paste should be the consistency of syrup.

Apply a small amount of the red stain to the underside of the wood you will be working with. Use a stain brush. This is a way to test the color of the stain. If the stain is too dark, add a splash of gum turpentine to the mixture to lighten it. You can also add small amounts of Japan oil color to change the shade of red until you have the desired color.