TransTint® Liquid Dye Concentrate

When precision, consistency, and depth of color matter most, professionals turn to TransTint®.

TransTint® dyes are premium, concentrated liquid colorants engineered to blend seamlessly with a wide variety of bases, giving woodworkers unmatched flexibility when creating stains and toners. This concentrate pours and mixes like a low-viscosity liquid, designed to blend easily into water, alcohol, lacquer, and clear finishes. Designed for exceptional grain clarity and rich, even color saturation, TransTint® delivers a depth and brilliance that traditional wood stains simply cannot match.

Unlike standard stains, TransTint® dyes penetrate deeply, amplify natural grain patterns, and offer an expansive palette of vibrant hues that professionals rely on for everything from fine furniture and cabinetry to musical or precision crafted instruments and restoration work.

Whether you are creating a bold custom stain or adding subtle color between finish coats, TransTint® gives you the control, versatility, and depth needed to bring your project to life.

TransTint Bottles - General Finishes

Instructions

Use as a Stain

Penetrates deeply, highlights the natural grain of the wood, delivering rich stain color.

 

  1. Combine 1 oz. of TransTint® with 1 quart of any of the following:
  2. Mix thoroughly, stirring from the bottom up.
  3. Follow instructions for the product TransTint is mixed with regarding:
    • Surface preparation / Compatible surfaces (raw wood, sealed surfaces)
    • Dry time
    • Application tools and methods recommended
  4. Seal with Topcoat
    • Whether you create a stain or a toner, lock in stain color and protect your project from wear and tear by sealing with clear topcoat. 

Use as a Toner

Add color between coats, adjust hue, or blend tones to achieve uniformity and precision. Because dye is mixed with topcoat, it will not penetrate deeply like it would if used as a stain, providing greater control and flexibility.

 

  1. Combine 1 oz. of TransTint® with 1 quart of any of the following:
  2. Mix thoroughly, stirring from the bottom up.
  3. Follow instructions for the product TransTint is mixed with regarding:
    • Surface preparation / Compatible surfaces (raw wood, sealed surfaces)
    • Dry time
    • Application tools and methods recommended
  4. Seal with Topcoat
    • Whether you create a stain or a toner, lock in stain color and protect your project from wear and tear by sealing with clear topcoat. 

Create Custom Colors

Combine any of the 18 TransTint® shades to create your own custom colors.

Always Test First

Always test before use. Every wood species absorbs color differently, and your dilution ratios, application method, and chosen finish will all influence the final appearance. Even small adjustments can affect tone, depth, adhesion, and overall clarity. By testing on a scrap piece or an inconspicuous area first, you can confirm the exact color outcome, ensure compatibility between products, and avoid unexpected results before committing to your full project.

Project Recommendations

Known for its unmatched versatility and depth of tone, TransTint® earned global recognition across fine woodworking, musical instrument making, flooring, and even aerospace applications. Works seamlessly on furniture, cabinetry, fine musical instruments, flooring, detailed restoration work, and wherever true color precision is required.

Not an exterior finish. Use on projects stored indoors.

Applicators Recommended

Create a Stain: 

  • General Finishes Dye Stain Reducer (brush, spray, rag/cloth)
  • General Finishes Water-Based Pre-Stain Conditioner (brush, spray, rag/cloth)
  • Water (brush, spray, rag/cloth, sponge)
  • Denatured alcohol (rag/cloth)
  • Acetone (rag/cloth)

 

Create a Toner: 

  • General Finishes High Performance Topcoat (spray, brush, or wipe)
  • All of General Finishes Enduro Topcoats (spray, brush, or wipe)
  • Shellac (best applied by spray gun, but brushing and limited wiping with a rag/cloth can also be used in the right situations.)
  • Solvent based finishes (spray, brush, or wipe)
  • Lacquer (spray, brush, or wipe)
     

Dry Times

RECOAT dry times in ideal conditions (70°F 21°C; 50% humidity):

Create a Stain: 

  • General Finishes Dye Stain Reducer (2+ hr)
  • General Finishes Water-Based Pre-Stain Conditioner (2+ hr)
  • Water (1-2 hours, when the surface looks matte and feels dry to the touch)
  • Denatured alcohol (dries to touch in 30-45 minutes, 2+ hours is recommended before re-coat)
  • Acetone (flashes off in minutes, but we recommend several hours before re-coating or topcoating)

 

Create a Toner: 

  • General Finishes High Performance Topcoat (2+ hr)
  • All of General Finishes Enduro Topcoats (varies by product, view label or website product page)
  • Shellac, Solvent based finishes, & Lacquer.

Specifications

Basic Features
Product Colors Black, Blue, Bright Green, Bright Red, Brown Mahogany, Coffee Brown, Dark Vintage Maple, Dark Walnut, Dark Mission Brown, Golden Brown, Honey Amber, Lemon Yellow, Medium Brown, Orange, Purple, Red Mahogany, Reddish Brown, Straw
Base Type Dye Concentrate
Interior or Exterior Interior only
Type Dye Concentrate
Application
Coats 1 - 2 coats
Application Method Varies by the product TransTint is mixed into. See website application instructions.
Brushable Varies by the product TransTint is mixed into. See website application instructions.
Usable over existing finishes Varies by the product TransTint is mixed into. See website application instructions.
Sprayable Varies by the product TransTint is mixed into. See website application instructions.
Topcoat Required Yes
Dry Time
Dry Time - Recoat Varies by the product TransTint is mixed into. See website application instructions.
Contents
Can Sizes 2 oz bottles, 16 oz. bottles
Technical Data
Viscosity Thin
Viscosity (cPs) 50-500
VOC Black 745 g/L
Blue 745 g/L
Bright Green 752 g/L
Bright Red 745 g/L
Brown Mahogany 759 g/L
Coffee Brown 752 g/L
Dark Mission Brown 752 g/L
Dark Vintage Maple 752 g/L
Dark Walnut 752 g/L
Golden Brown 752 g/L
Honey Amber 752 g/L
Lemon Yellow 745 g/L
Medium Brown 696 g/L
Orange 752 g/L
Purple 752 g/L
Red Mahogany 752 g/L
Reddish Brown 696 g/L
Straw 752 g/L