Is wood glue a can-do with dyed woods?

Wood glue has a scientific superpower: It bonds molecularly to the cellulose presentin all wood. Dye doesn't interfere with that bond, so you can go ahead with your plan to color your parts before assembly.

This is possible because a dye is a chemical colorant that dissolves completely in a solvent, usually water or denatured alcohol, forming a solution. Dye penetrates into wood, and the color remains behind after the solvent has evaporated.

By comparison, wood stain contains finely ground particles of pigment—usually minerals of various colors. Those particles hang around in suspension within a liquid, commonly oil or water, with binders and other ingredients. Pigment doesn't dissolve or change state; that's why you'll find that it eventually settles to the bottom of the stain can.

Unlike dye, stain on wood does interfere with glue adhesion. The pigment, oils, and binders sit on the surface, creating a barrier that keeps the glue from forming a bond on a molecular level with the cellulose.

So, feel free to dye your project parts before assembly, but take a few precautions. First, be careful to prevent glue squeeze-out because you won't be able to wipe and sand it away. If you're using water-based dye, the squeeze-out could emulsify it, too, and change the color. Second, clamp gently to prevent dents or dings. Finally, handle the pieces carefully to avoid scratches or damage that would prove difficult to repair.

Good luck with the jewelry box. We know you're dye-ing to get started.

1. Give toy projects bold color with vibrant colored dyes.
2. Emphasize highly figured wood grains, such as birdseye maple and walnut burl.
3. Adjust a stain color by mixing water-soluble dye with a water-based topcoat to create a toner.
4. Dye sapwood to even out its tone to match the rest of a board.