Staining Osage

[Kevin A.]

I have finished my second bow,Osage with a bamboo backing, Flat style. (First one broke). I think I want to stain the osage. Does anybody have any sugestions. I would like it to come out "brown redish".

[rm85]

3 rivers archery has some good colors.


GO HERE.


 http://www.3riversarchery.com/Arrow+Building+Paint+Sealer+Stain_c52_s223_p97_thumb.html

[Eric Krewson]

Brown leather dye will stain it red/brown, a little more red than brown.

[Kevin A.]

Thank you Eric. I never would have thought of leather dye. I have scrap peaces I'm going to test on. But I'm worried about how yellow the osage is. I was not sure how wood stain would look.
How does the leather dye react to the bamboo?

[shamus]

Dean Torges is fond of aniline dyes.

[Tillrn]

<<<<<<>>>>>>
I used british tan leather dye on this bamboo backed hickory bow

[Tillrn]

[Eric Krewson]

Brown leather dye on bamboo.

 

I don't stain the osage because it will end up about the same color as the bamboo in a few years.

Here is another bamboo backed bow stained with brown leather dye.  I put the leather dye on until the bamboo is almost black then scrub it back with a scotch brite pad to give me a blended dark to light effect.

 

[Kevin A.]

Thanks for everyones help. Looks like next time into town I'll stop at the leather store.
Eric; Can I ask you why Osage will end up the same color?
I'm new at bow building so I hope these questions are too "simple".

[Kevin A.]

I forgot;
I will post some pictures when I get done. If I'm not to intimidated by all of your bows. It has been luck that the "first one" is hid in the closet.

[Ricky S.]

I have an inexpensive way tat works great.I use Rit dye with denatured alcohal.I have found that orange and black blend together realy nice and you can always use steel wool to lighten it or just sand it off.But it works great for me Sorry about the glare on the pics.Oh mke sure its completly dry before you seal it.

     

[Eric Krewson]

Kevin, Osage turns dark on it's own over time. About the only way to keep it from turning is keep it in the dark 24-7. It will usually turn pretty dark in 3 years.

Here is the color it will eventually end up. Some osage that has aged for 20 or more years will be a very dark brown, almost black

 

[Kevin A.]

Thank you again Eric; I never would have thought osage would change color that much. I will just stain the bamboo and leave the osage to age.

   I want to say how great this web site and the people that belong to it are in helping newcomers.
thank you all agian

[TSP]

Eric, I have commercial 3-piece longbow with an Osage riser that beneath it's finish has turned from it's original bright yellow color to a dull 'milky brown' instead of that typical nice amber hue.  I'm thinking that it was caused by the prior owner putting something on the finish (maybe a cleaner or polish) that retarded the natural color transition.  The limbs are fine...they are that nice amber.

Any idea on what might have caused this, and what can be done to restore the riser?  Is a complete refinish needed?  Thanks,

[shamus]

Osage darkening over time  


   

[George Tsoukalas]

One of the joys of making osage bows is watching it change colors.    Jawge

[Roy Steele]

Your right Ricky I've also used leather dye.On osage of my own I just let it turn dark naturally.Just seal with wax and a hair dryer.Or what ever you want.

[Coach]

If you want to darken the osage put a heaping teaspoon of crystal Drano in a coffee cup of water and stir it up.  Take a rag and rub it over the osage till you get the darkness you want.  Works real well.  Don't know what it would do to bamboo.  Wouldn't want to get it on the bamboo.  Make sure you don't drink out of the coffee cup!

Coach

[RB]

Okay...one more option used by some bowyers and those that practice primitive skills to instantly 'age' wood, bone, even freshly knapped arrowheads and stone knives to a nice brown 'old/aged' color:

Potassium permanganate (KMNO3 ?) & alcohol solution.

It will make a new flint arrowhead look 5,000 years old (the patina effect). Counterfeiters love it.

You can get PP from local companies that sell/service water softeners - and from swimming pool suppliers (used by folks sensitive to chlorine). You can even use rubbing alcohol from the Dollar Store to mix it in. Doesn't take much in a bottle; maybe a tablespoon full.

Yep, wear latex gloves! It will color your skin a nice brown color too.
I seem to recall that Dean Torges uses it sometimes on bows. Hope this helps - rb