Can Natural Canvas Micarta Be Dyed?

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1066vik said:
leather dye works pretty well on micarta and even G10.
I've used both spirit based and oil based -- have not tried the newer water based dyes, yet.
lightly sanding to raise a nap on micarta helps a little.

to polish micarta, sand it with wet/dry, just like you would to polish steel.
you can also power buff it with a dremel and polishing compound or just wax it once you have sanded past 600 grit if you like.
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Cool. Got an example of your dyed micarta?
 
Will Power said:
As this is a micarta thread, I'd like to ask about polishing it to get a glossy finish, what approach? I have a Muskratman puukko from 09 but it has a matte unfinished handle that I really don't care for, want to shine it up.
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As Rusty said, I think the micarta makes the difference. I have a few micarta knives that I’ve polished up and they take a very glossy finish. If it’s just a matte finish now, I’d lightly sand it with 800 grit, then wet sand with 1500. After that, buff it on a wheel or you can do it by hand as well using a polishing paste or a fine rouge.

Here’s a knife I bought used and the scales were scratched and had a dull finish. I did exactly what I said above and it came out great. It created a ton of depth to the micarta.
8D11C8E1-D89F-4546-B49D-C445928D5567.jpeg
 
Jsega51 said:
As Rusty said, I think the micarta makes the difference. I have a few micarta knives that I’ve polished up and they take a very glossy finish. If it’s just a matte finish now, I’d lightly sand it with 800 grit, then wet sand with 1500. After that, buff it on a wheel or you can do it by hand as well using a polishing paste or a fine rouge.

Here’s a knife I bought used and the scales were scratched and had a dull finish. I did exactly what I said above and it came out great. It created a ton of depth to the micarta.
View attachment 870069
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Wow!! Very nice indeed.
 
Modoc ED said:
We,, I pulled the knife out of the coffee at 3:35 - 5-hours after it went in. Except for the ring on the cover, there's virtually no difference between the part that was submerged and the the part that wasn't. The blade darkened a bit but it had already been darkened so there's not much change there.

d94eAwu.jpg


I wouldn't think micarta could be dyed (permanently) to any significant amount as the micarta is colored or dyed before being layered with resin or epoxy.

Anyway, that's my 2¢ Jeff.

Edited to Add: I rinsed the knife in hot water, dried it, and oiled it and it's just fine. Even the ring is gone. The covers look pretty much like they did when new out of the tube.
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Jeff, it looks like the coffee cleaned the micarta. :)
 
ED, thanks for the experiment! I'm glad no animals were harmed during the filming! ;) But seriously, that's what I was afraid of, that the resins would prevent much dye getting in. I may still try some Rit DyeMore, which is designed for synthetic fibers. I'll sand it first, then apply the dye. If it takes, then I'll wax it after, to preserve the finish.
 
Sounds like a plan Jeff. Pictures of any experiment are required of course
 
black mamba said:
Just that: can a knife with natural canvas micarta covers be dyed after completely finished, or is there too much resin present to hold any dye?

I know a few of you have soaked knives to darken covers and patina blades, but has anyone tried it with micarta, and what was it soaked in? Any and all personal observations and experiences are greatly appreciated. I ordered a micarta #43, but would like to make it a darker color, and force patina the blade.
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I’ve used leather dye to stain small micarta knife handles on ANZA Knives just recently. I leave the handle completely covered soaking in a glass jar for 48 hours plus. I use black or dark brown stain in this procedure. Then after completely dry I cover it with black or brown shoe polish and give it a good polish. The only way you are going to find out if it has worked is using your knife over a period of time and if the dyed handle stays the same colour. My knives, so far so good
 
oil based leather dye -- wipe it on, wait 30 seconds, wipe the excess off.
you should be able to wash it with warm water and dish soap pretty much right away to keep it from rubbing off on you or your clothing later.
 
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