Antler dying/staining problem

M.Griffin

M.Griffin

Joined
Nov 8, 2007
Messages
460
I have dyed a piece of elk antler and am having problems with the dye bleeding off. The antler was a shed and took the dye very well, nice and even. But now it keeps bleeding off no matter what I do. I used Fiebings spirit based dye, let it dry for over a week, rubbed it with a rag until no more dye came off, then sealed it with boiled linseed oil. When handled, it leaves a significant amount of dye on my hand. I tried sealing it again with a beeswax/mink oil/pine pitch mixture, but still no luck. I even went as far as trying some Tandy satin sheen leather stuff, but it didn't work. What comes next? This is my first use of antler and I am stumped. Thanks for any help.

-Mike
 
Spray it with Krylon clear lacquer, then finish as usual.
 
i use horse hoof polish on all mine and it has never discolored.
vern

any farm store
 
The boiled linseed oil was your problem there. I have used Mimwax walnut colored polyurathane finish with great success. Brush it on till covered, wipe off excess before it dries. The contrast after you sand off the top layer is sweet. I also use Briwax, again walnut color, with good success too. Others have used leather dye, but every time I have used it, it just did not do well for me.
For what its worth, I have switched to alcohol based leather dyes for my sheaths when using antler for handle material...the oil based dyes on the leather usually found a way to leech into the handle material when the knife was stored in the sheath...no matter how long I let the dye dry. Not a problem after switching to alcohol based dye.
Stay away from that linseed oil on your antlers...its a mess to deal with.
 
Use potasium permanganate on antler. It is a water conditioning crystal that is available from sears. Mix 1/4 teaspoon to 1 pint of water, then try on scrap pieces to obtain the right color. I goes on a bright purple than a rich brown when done.
 
I would guess that the linseed oil is what is drawing out the dye. I am certainly no expert in this but I would try to clean the oil off, possibly with acetone, and then redye the antler if the color is not what you want.

When I dye antler I usually seal it with renaissance wax. I haven't had any problems with mine leeching color.

SDS
 
Well, I guess I blew it with the linseed oil, but I did read somewhere that it can be used after dying antler. I definitely won't be doing that again though. I took Bill's advice and gave it a very lite coat of lacquer and then gave it a once over with 1500 grit paper and it turned out great. Thanks for all the help.

-Mike
 
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