Best way to dye factory Micarta scales?

H

Hawgsnawt

Joined
Aug 16, 2015
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I LOVE the feel of the micarta scales... but the new ones in that light sand color just don't do anything for me looks wise....I have 7 sets of em and not a one really looks good IMHO....

Reading the RBK21 thread, folks were talking about OD scales and stuff....I hate to rebuy all my micarta scales again in KC G10 just for coloration.... so I'm wondering, how hard is it to dye the factory micarta? Leather dye? how do you keep it from wearing off in the hand under heavy use?

I'm interested in hearing anything anyone has to say on the subject....tips, tricks, pointers, ideas and suggestions.....what has or has not worked for you?
 
RIT dye in a small pot of water. Bring it to a low boil. Remove from heat. Drop in the scales for at least 30 minutes. Rinse. Repeat as often as necessary to get the color right.

If you want to be really aggressive about it, add some vinegar and/or keep it on low heat.
 
I just use mineral oil on these. It dries a bit occasionally and I just reapply. No probs beilng slick or anything at all. For some reason it looks really brown in this pic and not at all in person. Looks more OD. Maybe try a dot on the back side and see how you like it.



My first set of tweener micarta is coming next week and this will be the first thing I do before attaching them.
 
Looks good Slice.....

Travis, the vinegar or heat fluctuation won't destabilize the epoxy in the micarta at all?.....sounds like an easy way to go about it.
 
If you Google "dyeing micarta", you will find several BF threads on it. If you use the forum search function, you'll find more but will have to sort thru quite a few.

Mineral Oils will darken the existing color. Leather dye works. As does RIT dye. Though there is some concern about RIT dyes eventually wearing off.

Micarta is pretty tough stuff. I doubt boiling or dilute vinegar will harm it. Indeed, the reason for the concern about dyes wearing off is due to the inability of the dye to penetrate deeply.

Here's a YT vid of the results of ESEE6 and RTAK micarta scales being boiled in black RIT.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D2qYwcZq8E
 
Here they are, fresh from the package. I coat my hand with a couple of drops of mineral oil then rub the scale. I immediately scrub it with a dry clean cloth and this is the result...

 
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