Oil-based dyes are available in pre-mixed commercial stains along with natural and artificial pigments. Oil-based dyes are advantageous in that they penetrate deeply into wood cells and are therefore more effective in terms of offering a deeper color. In addition, oil-based dyes are easy to adjust into different color shades. Oil-based dyes are applied onto a wooden surface with a rag or a soft brush.
Non-grain raising spirit-based dyes are easier to use, especially for the inexperienced do-it-yourselfer. These spirit-based dyes take a relatively shorter period to dry -- about 30 to 40 minutes -- and are completely inter-mixable. This feature of spirit-based dyes enables you to get a wide range of color shades from a few base colors. Another plus for spirit-based dyes is that they offer a color utterly resistant to discoloring and fading, even when exposed to sunlight.
Water-based dyes offer a wide range of color choices, like spirit-based dyes, and do not smell strong. They are also relatively easier to clean than other wood dye types. Water-based dyes, though, are more complex to use. They dry slowly and therefore raise the wood grain, thereby creating a need to sand before finishing. The raised wood grains are caused by the penetration of water, which raises tiny fibers in the wood. Over time, some water-based dyes also might become discolored.
Aniline dyes come in two main forms: liquid aniline dyes and powder aniline dyes. They come in a wide range of colors, just like water-based dyes. Aniline dyes color the wood more evenly than aniline stains and do not cause raised wood grains. The major disadvantage of aniline dyes is that they are expensive.