I don't have a problem with alcohol based dyes raising the grain, but maybe cause it's so hot and dry here, it doesn't have a chance. But I mostly use Behlins', which they call NGR (non-grain raising) If you want a fool proof way to color your wood any color of the rainbow, use artist oils (not acrylics) get a tube of it from Michaels or any art store and, experiment, works like a champ. Better yet is if you know someone who is a painter, they usually have old and partial tubes they will give you... The only downside is it takes a couple of days to dry before you can final finish it...