feather dying with kool aid

[graybarkhunter]

was interested in doing some dying with the koolaid trick.. is there a specific technique to dying or do you just stick the part of the feather in the dye and let it sit in the solution for a little bit then pull it out and let dry?? or is it a little more difficult than that? would you want a diluted solution or a pretty concentrated mix of koolaid?? thanks in advance

[magnus]

Graybark. Pm me your email address and I'll send you a link to how I do it. Works pretty good.

[30coupe]

How about posting the link, Magnus?

[magnus]

I can't from my iPhone. I can email it to anyone who can post it for everyone to see. I just can't do it. Sorry.

[magnus]

Ok I'll just type it out.
I use glass pie pans and a stainless steal pot. In the first glass pie pan I put a drop or two of dish soap a splash of white vinager and fill with warm water. Soak you feathers in this while you prepare the rest of the stuff. In the next pie pan I put a splash of vinegar and warmer water. Set aside. I then get the stainless potout and fill it about half way and add two packs of kool-aid. Heat to almost a boil as this will disolve the kool-aid thoroughly. It doesn't need to boil. I then pour the dye into a glass bread or cassarol dish. Take the feathers from the first dish and put them in the second one that has only vinegar and water in it. Let soak for 5 min. I then put them in the dye and microwave for 3 min and let stand for 3 min. I then check to see if they reached the desired color. If not I nuke them again for 3 min and let stand.  After. They're the color I want. I take over to the sink and remove the feathers with a fork just lifting the end out so I cam grab them and rinse each feather under cold water and lay on a piece of wax paper. Becareful the dye is extremely hot and any splash will stain a countertop if not wiped up immediately!!! Learned that one the hard way. When you are laying the featherson the wax paper lay them so the quill is facing down this will help keep them from curling to much. Let dry over night and your done. I use empty juice bottles to store the leftover dye in as not to waste it. I dye a lot of feathers. When the color starts to look too light I just add another pack or two as needed when I'm dyeing. Hopes this helps and it sounds a lot harder than it is. It really goes rather quickly. Have fun and remember the lady of the house doesn't like colorful cookware!!!

[Green]

Thanks for the How-To Matt!

[Mike Vines]

Thanks Matt, I'm going to give that a try with Tang.

[magnus]

No problem guys. Just make sure you get your powder dissolved. Never tried tang. Don't know what sugar will do if it's there. Let us know how it turns out Mike.

[1oldbowguy]

  Great idea Matt, would have never thunk of that one.  

[ckanous]

I can see the Kool-aid guy on TV now doing a TradGang commercial wearing one of Mudd's robinhood hats dyeing feathers!

[magnus]

I forgot to add. If you want to do yellow, the spice ground Turmeric  works great. Just get it dissolved good.

[30coupe]

What is the spice to water ratio if you use turmeric? I'll have to sneak a peak at the boss's spice cabinet.    

[1oldbowguy]

  I think you could use Osage dust or shavings also.  I know when mixed with water you get a fantastic yellow.      Think that would work?      

[graybarkhunter]

thanks guys for the help about to try it as we speak! graybark

[magnus]

The spice to water ratio is just a matter of trial and error. You can almost get an orangeish color fade if you use enough. Yellow at the quill and orange at the tips. The hotter you get the turmeric the oranger it gets in my experience.

I don't see why the wood saving wouldn't work. I would make sure and strain the solution first so you don't get particles in the feathers.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

any picture of cool aid dyed feathers out there?

[30coupe]

I have another question. If I am using commercial white fletching is the washing necessary? I can understand washing natural feathers to remove the oil from them, but wouldn't fletching already be washed?

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Originally posted by 1oldbowguy:
     I think you could use Osage dust or shavings also.  I know when mixed with water you get a fantastic yellow.         Think that would work?            

I tried that one already. I boiled some Osage shavings and sawdust in water for a whole day, then let sit overnight. I did get a nice yellow dye that will dye wood arrow shafts very nicely, it's just not strong enough for feathers. But then I may not have prepped them properly either?
I just dropped in a few of my own turkey feathers and let sit for good while, took them out and let dry. They have a yellow tint to them, but not bright yellow.
I'd just stick with the kool aid or Rit dye as prescribed.

[magnus]

Charlie I just emailed you a few.

[graybarkhunter]

are there any tricks to getting a chartruse color?  thanks