Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Morgan on November 04, 2018, 12:57:26 pm

Title: Lye reaction to wood
Post by: Morgan on November 04, 2018, 12:57:26 pm: I made a lye solution that would just float an egg to put a hide in. I used a hackberry off split to stir with. The wood immediately turned a bright yellow color and darkened as it dried out. I imagine a stronger lye solution would make a more drastic change. Would it be safe to use this as a “stain” on a bow? I know the dangers of lye, but would the dangers be present once dry. Here is a pic of the stir stick.
Title: Re: Lye reaction to wood
Post by: DC on November 04, 2018, 01:48:11 pm: That's cool! Have you rinsed it off well? I can't see it being any more harm than fuming.
Title: Re: Lye reaction to wood
Post by: Pat B on November 04, 2018, 02:36:53 pm: I don't think it would hurt anything but be sure to neutralize the alkali with an acid like vinegar and water. Same with your hide. And be careful around your skin and eyes.
Title: Re: Lye reaction to wood
Post by: Morgan on November 04, 2018, 03:43:19 pm: Quote from: DC on November 04, 2018, 01:48:11 pm
That's cool! Have you rinsed it off well? I can't see it being any more harm than fuming.
I haven’t rinsed it, using it to stir the hide in the bucket. I have a couple of nearly finished bows in the shop that I’ll try to play with. I’ve tried fuming hackberry and the results were so subtle that it wasn’t worth the trouble, with the lye though, the wood changed color the second it touched. It was a very vibrant almost neon yellow color at first.
Title: Re: Lye reaction to wood
Post by: Morgan on November 04, 2018, 03:45:23 pm: Quote from: Pat B on November 04, 2018, 02:36:53 pm
I don't think it would hurt anything but be sure to neutralize the alkali with an acid like vinegar and water. Same with your hide. And be careful around your skin and eyes.
Pat, you reckon the acid will wash the color? I’ll put the stick in the bucket of vinegar water when I put the hide in for an experiment.
Title: Re: Lye reaction to wood
Post by: Pat B on November 04, 2018, 04:28:06 pm: I don't know if it will or not. Your stir stick is a good test piece. :OK
Title: Re: Lye reaction to wood
Post by: osage outlaw on November 04, 2018, 08:58:40 pm: Looks like you turned it into osage
Title: Re: Lye reaction to wood
Post by: Morgan on November 05, 2018, 04:42:51 am: Quote from: osage outlaw on November 04, 2018, 08:58:40 pm
Looks like you turned it into osage

I thought the same thing.
Title: Re: Lye reaction to wood
Post by: bjrogg on November 05, 2018, 05:30:25 am: Interesting (-P
Bjrogg
Title: Re: Lye reaction to wood
Post by: Eric Krewson on November 05, 2018, 06:26:15 am: Lye will make osage dark like old wood, it will make cherry almost black.
Title: Re: Lye reaction to wood
Post by: DC on November 05, 2018, 09:57:03 am: It must react with the tannins, same as fuming but way faster. Can you take a slice off your stick to see how deep the colour goes?
Title: Re: Lye reaction to wood
Post by: Morgan on November 05, 2018, 12:18:11 pm: Quote from: DC on November 05, 2018, 09:57:03 am
It must react with the tannins, same as fuming but way faster. Can you take a slice off your stick to see how deep the colour goes?

I will
Title: Re: Lye reaction to wood
Post by: Eric Krewson on November 06, 2018, 06:35:44 am: I have aged osage with it, the darkened wood is just on the surface just like naturally aged wood.
Title: Re: Lye reaction to wood
Post by: Morgan on November 09, 2018, 01:35:08 pm: Well, vinegar removed the coloration.
Title: Re: Lye reaction to wood
Post by: sleek on November 10, 2018, 11:53:56 am: Quote from: Morgan on November 09, 2018, 01:35:08 pm
Well, vinegar removed the coloration.

Neat. Now use lye and vinegar with a paint brush to decorate the bow.