Lightening Micarta?

Sharp Knives 86

Sharp Knives 86

Joined
Oct 27, 2009
Messages
783
Are there any methods to lightening the color on micarta? I love my TGLB but if I had one little nitpick about it, it would be the "black" micarta handles are a little darker than I expected. I love the tan-ish/drab look of the black micarta handles on the Busse site but on mine it is more of a dark green. Because my nitpick is so minor, it really isn't worth wasting Garth's and the rest of the Busse crew's time by having me send it back for something so miniscule so I figured if there was anyway I could try to lighten the colors myself, I'd give it a try. I've had some success lightening the colors a little bit with soap an warm water but was curious if there were more effective ways as well.
 
The color is mixed directly into the resin before combining with the cloth/paper/linen to make micarta. The color is solid throughout the entire material.

The best you can do is lighten the top exposed layer through various means, but you won't be able to change the color of the entire material.
 
If you plan on using it they are going to darken even more.
If you don't plan on using it, I recommend using it.:confused::D
 
drift draft said:
If you plan on using it they are going to darken even more.
If you don't plan on using it, I recommend using it.:confused::D
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Oh shes definitely a user. And yeah I know micarta darkens over time. Like I said it is just a minor nitpick and I figured if there was any way I could lighten up the handles I would but if not, I'm perfectly fine with it as is anyways.
 
Before trying the bleach suggestion...have you tried washing the handles with some soap & a brush (an old toothbrush works nice...scrub it really thoroughly) and some hot water? Try it and then let it dry...might work without any alteration to the material.

ETA: Saw that you tried it, but I suggest trying it again with a brush and some "elbow grease". ;)
 
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I have seen significant differences in micarta on Busse knives; for example, some tan canvas micarta is very light and some is darker with a reddish color.

After handling/use, I have soaked a Busse knife with canvas micarta in a solution of dish soap, and it restores the original color and texture.

Gene
 
Jaxx said:
Before trying the bleach suggestion...have you tried washing the handles with some soap & a brush (an old toothbrush works nice...scrub it really thoroughly) and some hot water? Try it and them let it dry...might work without any alteration to the material.
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Yeah I did try the soap and hot water method. It did lighten it up a little. I doubt I'll try the bleaching the handles. I'm too worried I'll just do more harm than anything.
 
Jaxx said:
Before trying the bleach suggestion...have you tried washing the handles with some soap & a brush (an old toothbrush works nice...scrub it really thoroughly) and some hot water? Try it and them let it dry...might work without any alteration to the material.

ETA: Saw that you tried it, but I suggest trying it again with a brush and some "elbow grease". ;)
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Yes, using a toothbrush after it has soaked awhile does help remove oil and dirt.
 
Geez, i came here thinking that there was a new cool color combination for the handles.

"Lightning Micarta" maybe bright yellow and cobalt blue?

gotta get my eye's checked, again.
 
retrocon said:
Geez, i came here thinking that there was a new cool color combination for the handles.

"Lightning Micarta" maybe bright yellow and cobalt blue?

...
Click to expand...
That's funny - I had a similar thought at first glance. :D
 
Does anyone have a picture of what bleached micarta looks like? I got my TGLB tan micarta on black blade yesterday amd the tan is really more of a butterscotch than a tan (I was hoping it would be like the tan on my KZII). I'd be willing to keep the knife and bleach it of the color would improve otherwise I'll have to deal with sending it in.
 
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