Can Micarta be darkened?

[CDH]

I have some 'maroon' Micarta from TKS on 4 kitchen knives I am giving out for Christmas gifts. For some reason, the color just washes out with this set of handles. The fabric layers are so light the color is lost, especially on the middle of the scales where the angle leaves the lines really wide. It is currently at 600 grit, waxed with an automotive type liquid wax, and then 'shoeshine' style buffed. I can run another pass of 600 grit over it or put it on the buffer with white scratchless if needed to knock all the wax out if necessary.

Any suggestions for permanently darkening the fabric? These blades will get lots of honest kitchen use, so it's gotta be a durable effect if you get my drift...

Thanks in advance!

 

[zerogee]

The higher the grit finish you go to, the darker the Micarta will become -- I've taken to finishing off Micarta by applying some Militec-1 and rubbing it in and letting it dry, then buffing with a soft cloth - makes for a nice dark satin finish at around 1200-2000 grit and seems to be pretty durable with use (not slippery either). But as far as permanently darkening it, no, I don't know of anything. The first time they use a scotchbrite scrubber on the handles it will lighten a bit again.

 

[AcridSaint]

I use danish oil, the canvas stuff soaks it up a little more than others. It won't soak in too much thanks to the nature of micarta, but it will put a nice darker finish on it that is easily touched up. Failing that, you can supply the knives with some food safe oil and suggest a regular wipe down after washing, just like most fine cutlery.

 

[fod]

As Zerogee says, it will grind light and polish dark. As far as any other darkening, Simply put, all laminates are fiber reinforced thermoset resins (from Bondo to phenolics to epoxies to polyester resins).

Noone would expect a block of cured resin to soak up anything. Also (depending on the resin) they are very chemical resistant. So a block of resin with a substrate as reinforcing in it cannot be expected to sponge up anything. Perhaps a tiny bit of exposed fibers on the surface, but the finer it is finished, the less chance of this happening. The resin basically has the fibers encapsulated. These are also cured under pressure, so the fiber are compressed in the resin matrix and not able to act like a sponge. Of course some fibers, like glass are not prone to sponging up stuff in the first place, but I assume you are using canvas micarta. I think the dye process with the canvas substrate is not as "deep" as other fabrics, so the they wash as out as you mention. Seems like all darker canvases do this.

So, I really doubt any coloring agent will "keep" and be permanent.

 

[CDH]

It's linen Micarta, sorry I should have specified. Brain fart...tis the season.

Thanks for the replies. I figured as much, but I had to try and see if anyone had a super sekret recipe for staining that would soak into the linen fibers a bit.

I guess I'll try and make time tonight to hit them with 1200 grit and see if it helps. I'm running out of time!:grumpy: