Cypress...Green with envy?

Question

I recently completed some exterior shelves, made from cypress. The parts are ready for assembly, but I'm having trouble with the finish. I purchased a gallon of Benjamin Moore's Moorwood® Solid Color Exterior Stain C080 in the color "Rainforest Foliage" - kind of adirondack green with an edge. After applying the first coat, the stain is still very chalky - the pigment rubs off easily onto your hands. Is this typical after a full 24 hours in warm weather?

Has anyone here ever tried to dye cypress a dark green?

Danke, JP

"Wear protective eyewear."

TomL · Accepted Answer

I've been experimenting with 'coloring' cypress. Seems the wood is very oily and resists holding the coating. Best success I've had so far is putting a coat of white latex exterior primer and then sanding a bit to bring out the grain while the coloring remains on the softer parts of the wood. Were you using an oil base or latex base?

TomL

My Old Tools · Answer

Try a aniline dye, water or alcohol based.

Cypress...Green with envy?

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