What's the best way to dye antler with potassium permanganate?

C

Craig Daniel

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Feb 17, 2016
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I want to dye some antlers with Potassium Permanganate and was wandering what method gives the best results? I was wandering if a vacuum chamber would be best or to use a paint brush? Thanks for any help.
 
Make a saturated solution and then add some more PP in a plastic rectangular dish...which works best. Leave solution a little short of covering the stag. Scales or rounds and tapers? If scales just up to the bark on pieces. Swirl solution over the top of them and leave extra PP in the cracks and crevices. Leave in for 5-10 minutes. Take out but do not remove excess PP. When dry brush off PP and be sure to cover your nose and mouth. You will probably be sanding the highs off and blending to bolsters or tang. Do not re work with PP as you do not want the solution on sanded areas as it looks false. You must have cleaned the antler very well before with wire brush. Most of the coloring before treating with PP is dirt. After the antler is dry buff with a coarse muslin(I think) wheel. Do not use fine cotton or wire again. Use no buffing compound as it collects in the hundreds of cracks and crevices. No vacuum chamber is required. If in doubt as to time in solution less is better than too long. You can always put in again.
 
You can just apply it to the surface with a Q-tip.
 
Bill is there a certain ratio mix that one should stick to? For example where reaching a saturation point where you would only be wasting after a certain point and still get the same results with less?
 
Just dissolve all you can in water.
You can let it dry up after using it. Just add more water when you need to use it again.
If you are painting it on with a brush or Q tip, you can do multiple coats to achieve the color you want.
Once darkened and the stag is fully dried, I spray it with Krylon clear acrylic. This fixes the coloration in the lower spots. You will be abrading it away on the high spots to show contrast.
 
thanks bill , printed and placed in my book! Not the first advice i have printed from you. I hope you don't mind.

cheers

shayne
 
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