Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Blackening Maple
Bill Tindall, E.Tn.
I need to make black a small piece of maple, ideally with what I might have on hand. Will a permanent black Magic Marker be suitable?
I have been told that black leather dye is best but that will take time to get. So, I need to order some so next time I have it.........
markers, etc
John K Jordan
Might depend on the marker. I've tried that and some left a color sheen that you don't see on paper. The best I did took multiple applications.
Also markers are soluble in don't play well with some finishes.
A pigment based pen would work but all I have are very fine, no fat markers.
Jake Nieldling uses black oil based Fiebing's Leather Dye
(Amazon carries Feibings: https://www.amazon.com/Fiebings-50-2046-BU-P-Leather-Dye/dp/B00XOXGUM2_
Black spirit stain (alcohol) also works well. He uses Chestnut brand.
Also black india ink works very well.
He had the same experience as me with markers - they didn't make a good black.
Jack said stop by - he has all those. 
JKJ
Re: Blackening Maple
Paul Grenier
I've used good quality black India Ink successfully
Re: Blackening Maple
Dennis J. Gooding
I have used black shoe dye very successfully. Liquid black shoe dye or "polish" is available in most drug stores and supermarkets.
Shoe dye or black Calligraphy inks work best
john lucas
I have also just use spray paint although that tends to cover the grain. I like the Krylon satin black.