Dyeing and finishing bamboo

[stickhead]

Needing advise on finishing bamboo I saw on nicks build that in his lad pic he scrapes it ? I wanted to do some sort of dye finish I have alcohol dye and wanted to try a finish like I have seen some of James Parker bows It appears it has been wraped or something? Any help would be great

[Pat B]

You will have to remove the rind for the dye to take evenly. Use fine sandpaper for this. A scraper can leave minute gouges that can cause failure later.
  I believe James adds the dye to the back than manipulates it with alcohol; by dripping it or possibly laying alcohol saturated string across the back and work out the limb. Do some experimenting on a scrap until you get the effect you like.

[stickhead]

Thanks, Pat

[Tom Leemans]

I sand mine with a fine grit, thin foam sanding pad. It gets into nooks and crannies without much pressure. For some cool dye ideas, read Timo's "Eye Candy Cane" article on dressing up arrows in the April/May 2010 Primitive Archer magazine.