Am I Blue?

Wanted to stain the hull, using an alcohol-based dye, but was having trouble deciding on a color. Subtle variations in the wood can affect the absorption of the dye and the application of epoxy and varnish can add a slight amber-yellow tint. So I ran a bunch of test strips to get an idea how it might appear. I'd thought of a deep blue or perhaps a dark green, but also flirted with the idea of mixing dyes to obtain a deep purple or turquoise. Ultimately I decided to try a Trans-Tint blue, something like the fifth sample from the right.

I applied the dye in dilute coats, each one deepening and evening out the color. There's a great deal of grain on the wood I chose for the hull, some of which resisted absorbing the dye, revealing the grain and the original color of the wood. The process also left a few small, dark navy spots where the wood seemed to suck up the dye. But the overall effect is pleasing, and the blue's brightness should be highly visible on the water. The test strips suggest that the color will become a little deeper after applying the epoxy, but will fade again with time in the sun.

This is where things stand this morning, after three applications. I may or may not add a fourth, and then, glass and epoxy!