It's called Trace Coating. A water based dye is applied and allowed to dry. Then sanding starts with, in the video, 120 grit.  All the planer marks, drum sander scratches, glue spots, and other scratches and dings become readily apparent. 

I just started using the process on the mesquite for the river table. Mesquite is a good bit harder than the maple used in the video. I started with 60, then 80 and 100. I'll do 120 and 180 and call it done. It's already dead flat and smooth as a baby's butt. 

Here's Charles Neil's video about the process. He rambles a lot and, talks slow but, the information is really good.

Enjoy.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=4s&v=Ni2Y3vMtUSU

Sorry, You tube won't allow embedding of this video. 

 

Edited February 12, 20188 yr by Gene Howe

Gene I have not done it that way . In woodturning several big name turners do a alcohol base dye in layers. Start with a dark color sand it partly off an then and another color and can repeat again. The effect is that it highlights the grain and makes for spectacular effects in the shifted colors.

Jimmy Clewes Colored Rim Platter dying starts at about 48 minutes in.

This is mine.

That's pretty cool. I'll have to give that a try. Wonder if it'll work on the lathe?

 

Wish I could afford that Mirka sander!

 

 

Guess @Gerald answered my question!

Edited February 12, 20188 yr by lew

That's really pretty, Gerald. 

Dang it, Gene! Now I have to stop what I'm working on and give that a try. How am I ever to achieve perfection when you keep raising the bar? You guys are the best!!  

Try it, Hat. You'll like it. 

I can't understand a single thing he says the sound quality is so poor

 

Cliff, it's fine on my machine. Sometimes, if you go back to a YouTube video the sound and/or the picture quality improves. Then, it just might be his VA accent.

Try just searching YouTube for Trace coating and forget the link.

Hope it works for you. It really is a great method for a super smooth and flawless surface. And, in the long run, a time saver.