Coloring bamboo

[Buemaker]

I have seen it mentioned before, but can not find it.
How do you stain/color a bamboo back?  Bue

[Roy from Pa]

With your hands, stain, and rubber gloves...  

[KenH]

If the 'skin' is still on the bamboo, it's almost impossible to color, as the skin is practically impervious.  But otherwise any of the analine wood dyes will work.

[macbow]

I usually sand a good portion of the rind away before staining.
Usually there will be streaks in the finished job, something I like. Less streaks with more sanding.

I like dyes mixed with alcohol but water soluable will also work.

[Roy from Pa]

Remove the rind carefully. If there are deep depressions, leave them there, sand lightly. Mix a LITTLE powder with denatured alcohol. Use a rag and make one complete swipe from end to end, or from riser to end. If you stop and go again, it will leave a mark. But if you swipe over it again real quick, the mark will blend in. You will love it. If it gets too dark, steel wool it and it will lighten up.

 http://woodworker.com/alcohol-soluble-brt-yellow-golden-oak-aniline-dye-mssu-845-541.asp?search=Stain&searchmode=2

[bowhunter15]

Fast forward to 26:12 is how I did mine.

 

[Buemaker]

Thank you  

[7 Lakes]

After removing the rind I use Frebrings leather dyes.  I like to mix up a brown and dip a piece of yarn into it.  Lay the soaked piece of yarn across the bow from left to right all the way down the bow and let it soak in good.  This will give the bow a "Curly" effect as you lightly wipe on the same brown stain all over the back.  PS.  This works good when refinishing "cheap" rifle stocks also.

[Roy from Pa]

Another neat affect is using a rough cloth such as a wash cloth. Dip it into the stain and slide it gently down the limb and those tiny little threads of the cloth lays a nice streaky design on the bow.

[Bob at Work]

or "blot" the application of leather dye, using a cotton ball,  to make the boo look like burl...  

[M60gunner]

Regular wood stain works as well. Remove the enamel (rind to bowyers) first. A lite sanding will do. Just make sure the stain works with your finally finish.
There used to be a "toner" available to bamboo fly rod makers as well. I "flame" the bamboo first with a torch. Of course it is easy for me,I do the whole clum before splitting it. I have used MinWax stain to touch up areas that got to lite when planing the tapers.