thanks littorally......i use transtint dyes......its concentrated so ya dont need much....couple of drops in alcohol which dry fast keep adding the drops till ya get a color density ya like transtint comes in all differant colors.....dont seal your plug ya have to dye it first......then seal it the dye has to penatrate the wood first....let your plug cure overnight aftersealing it...put your eyes in and belly gromitt and your ready for your finish E-tex or flexcoat are a choice of my own.........its basicly the same as spraying your plug with paint useing an airbrush.... but instead your useing a transtint dye on figured wood.....that plug there is done with flame maple.....all my needles are done this way.....thanks again and good luck any questions feel free to ask