Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: stickthrower on May 24, 2011, 01:18:15 pm
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Hey, I had a question about doing a finish on a bow. I am wondering about doing a stain on it, but am wondering if a fruit juice type stain (from the fruit, not a juice can) would be a finish that would stay as long as I get a finish like tung oil over the top of it.
Has anybody done this? I am thinking of using strawberries and blueberries for a contrast finish. Any thoughts about that?
Thanks,
Nathan
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A fruit juice stain will probably work. Don't call it a finish though, it's a stain, not a finish. You need to apply a finish on top of the stain, for instance tung oil like you mentioned.
Most fruit stains are not colourfast at all. They will darken first, to a shade of brown probably. After that, they'll fade over time. Don't expect a longlasting red colour from the strawberries and a blue color from the blueberries. All will turn brown quickly.
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I have wondered about this as well. I thought if the coloring agent (berry juice) were sealed they wouldn't oxidize and change color?
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with a nice white wood you could make a Captain America bow!! ;D
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Wow, okay, so I guess I won't be doing the strawberry and raspberry stain. I guess I will just go with my original thought and do it that way then. Thanks!
Nathan
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Kool-Aid stains nicely!
;D
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I wonder if anyone has tried beet juice as a stain, I've been planning to try this for awhile. Tea also will make a decent stain.
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I read an article about making natural stains from different color leaves. I haven't tried it yet but I plan to do so. It might work with fruit. I plan to try that also. Anyhow here is the recipe:
3 parts water
1 part household ammonia
1/4 tsp of alum.
a couple good handfull of leaves
The author was mixing it in a gallon milk jug "with room to spare"
So my attempt will be:
3 pints of water
1 pint of ammonia
1/4 tsp of alum.
2 hands full of leaves or fruit.