dyed micarta handles, color rubs off, can I use sealant on them?

[BryFry]

I'm modding the factory micarta scales on a knife by reshaping them a bit, and dying them a darker color. I used Fiebings leather dye, and though it looks pretty good, the color transfers off onto my hand and rubbing cloth no matter how much rubbing and buffing I do with the cloth.

I've used up half a dozen cloths rubbing and buffing these things over the course of three days and still get color transfer! So I'm wondering if there is some kind of sealant that is safe for use on micarta that will stop the bleeding color??

I have some beezwax already, but I'm not sure if it is safe to use on micarta or not? Or if it would even help?

Anyone have experience with this?

 

[Bill DeShivs]

You can't satisfactorily dye Micarta. Now you know why. It's not porous enough to absorb dye. My suggestion is that you use a solvent-maybe alcohol (whatever works) and remove as much of the dye as possible.
Then coat the handle with paste wax to minimize further leeching of the color.

 

[RevDevil]

Rub the handles down with a rag soaked in laquer thinner.

 

[foxx]

You can dye micarta, but it only works on the outer most layer.

 

[Rob Thomas]

what color do you want to dye um? if its grey/black or tan/brown, shoe pollish in the can works great. i did it to my esee5, esee6, izula and 3 blindhorse knives. if you want a light color use less coats and more buffing, if you want a darker color more coats less buffing. im sure beeswax will work just fine too.