Q: What should I use before or after applying red cherry or rosewood aniline dye to a desk so as to not change the color?
A: You don’t need anything prior to applying the dye. As for afterwards, some clear finishes are slightly amber, but no common woodworking finish will alter colors like red cherry or rosewood enough to even notice. Go with whatever finish is appropriate. For a desk, I’d use oil based polyurethane.
Q: Do I need a wood conditioner under dye?
A: Nope. Wood conditioner is used on some woods when staining with oil based commercial stains. It’s not appropriate under dyes.
Q: Should I use a sealer like rabbit skin glue? 
A: Not unless you are doing gold leaf. Sealers are helpful with some woods and some finishes, but not all. If you are finishing new wood, you won’t need a sealer unless you are working on very absorbent wood, like poplar or softwoods, under nitrocellulose lacquer. Zinsser SealCoat, a clear primer and sealer, is helpful on refinished wood, especially under lacquer or waterbased coatings, but is usually not needed under oil based polyurethane.
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