Uses and Applications of Basic Dyes

This application of basic dyes increases the fastness to light of "salt" colors, and produces more brilliant tones over "sulphur" colors. No mordant is needed for "topping" fibers with basic dyes, because the previous dyeing serves as a mordanting where "salt" mordant or "sulphur" colors have been used.

For wool and silk, basic dyes have very largely been replaced by more permanent and easily applied but less brilliant acid dyes which are more numerous and produce more even tones. For bark-tanned leather which contains much tannic acid, basic colors are recommended, because the leather absorbs these dyes easily, and evenness of tone and fastness to light are not so important.

Wood stains which are produced by dissolving basic dyes in water or alcohol are used by the wood finisher to a limited extent. The colors obtained by the application of basic dyes to wood are clear and brilliant, but, in many cases, beautiful tone effects are changed and faded by exposure to light, depending on the brightness of the said light. A mordant is used with basic dyes when they are used on vegetable fibers.

The wood finisher does not wish to spend his time using mordants on stains, which is why the more convenient and permanent dyes are used. Spirit stains are made from the most permanent of the basic dyes and are used with reasonable satisfaction on articles that are not exposed to bright sunlight. Mordants are not commonly used with spirit stains. Such stains dry very quickly and are very hard to apply.

The wood finisher does not wish to spend his time using mordants on stains, which is why the more convenient and permanent dyes are used. Spirit stains are made from the most permanent of the basic dyes and are used with reasonable satisfaction...