staining ivory

H

hobbit

Joined
Nov 16, 1999
Messages
25
I've got a few pieces of mastadon ivory that I plan to use for handle scales but they are a little on the light side and the grain doesn't really show all that well. Is there anyway of staining them so that I get a darker color and hopefully bring out the grain a bit more? Has anyone tried this?
 
in asia they soak it in strong tea, although water is not the best thing for ivory, but it works....makes it look old..
 
this may be a double post , having computer trouble.

Learned this trick fro Daryl Hibben a couple of weeks ago. It works equally as well on Ivory, Stag and bone.
Get some potassium permanganate from a drug store or chem supply store. Should only cost 5-10 dollars for a 100g bottle.
Follow precautions on lable this stuff can be dangerous!
Place a few crystals in a saucer and dribble some water on it. Don't panic when it turns PURPLE. use a small brush to apply solution to stag/ivoty/or bone. The more you apply the darker the matterial will turn brown when it gets dry. Apply in stages to get desired shade.
Test on a scrap of material to alay any fears before you use on expensive Ivory. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Good luck.
Jim Ziegler aka Kraut
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top