Stain Bamboo

[LongStick64]

Can you stain Bamboo ???

[John Scifres]

I have tried staining bamboo with wood stain and it doesn't really penetrate.  Instead I was advised a long time ago to use leather or aniline dyes.  Tandy Leather stores have a great selection of colors.

RIT fabric dye dissolved in denatured alcohol will work also and is easily available at a fabric store.  It isn't as colorfast and will fade a bit over time but looks good still.

[Roy from Pa]

Aniline dye works great mixed with denatured alcohol.

[4est trekker]

Here's a very easy, cheap, and quick idea: get yourself a mouth atomizer.  They're VERY cheap and are the ancient equivalent of an airbrush.  You can use any variety of aniline stains and dyes, particularly those sold by Mike Yancey at Pine Hollow Longbows (a sponsor here).  You can do some incredible patterns, including simple sunbursts.  Here's one done by James Parker at Huntworthy Productions that I finished up:

 

Hope that helps!

[Roy from Pa]

 

Done with a soft rag, soaked with aniline dye and denatured alcohol..

[Sam Harper]

I like the mouth atomizer idea.  I got a spray water bottle at walmart for 99 cents the other day, and it does pretty well as long as you adjust the nozzle just right.

[LongStick64]

4east do you need to sand the bamboo before you use the mouth atomizer and the paint or dye

[Sam Harper]

You have to sand or scrap the rind off because dyes and stains don't take well to the rind.

[LongStick64]

If I decide to keep the rind on, can I go over it with tru oil or Spar.

[Sam Harper]

I don't know.  But you should take the rind off anyway before you tiller because you'll be less likely to lift a splinter that way.   I always sand my bamboo bows down as smooth as an android's butt before I tiller.

[LongStick64]

What do you use to remove the rind

[Stiks-n-Strings]

If you want to remove the rind start with 120 sand paper and got to at least 200

[Sam Harper]

I use a pneumatic drum sander to remove the rind, but you could also use sand paper or a scraper.

[John Scifres]

I have used a scraper.  Gently cleaning up of the nodes is called for but don't go too far or you might weaken them too much.  Then I sand with progressive grits from 100-220.

[Steve Thomson]

I really enjoy the effects of leather dyes on bamboo. Lots of combinations of colours and effects from application techniques. I like to use a small sponge and many colours.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

I use Feibings leather dye, comes in various colors. The brown has a reddish tint to it when applied to bamboo. When you sand around your nodes leave a bit of the rind and the color will be lighter there and you can custom adjust the pattern depending on where you leave the rind. I like the streaky/starburst sort of pattern as it trails away from the nodes. I didn't dye this one too dark, just enough to knock the shine down a bit. Depending on how many times you coat with Fiebings you can achieve just about any depth of darkness level you want.

 

 

[Roy from Pa]

Chris that bow is sharp.

[Tom Leemans]

I use the arrow dyes sold by Larry Maggard and Mike Yancy.

p.s. They are alcohol dyes. I have also used RIT mixed with denatured alcohol, but the arrow dyes are so much quicker. Wear gloves!!!!