Members kfiretwo Posted January 5, 2009 Members Report Posted January 5, 2009 Hey guys I was wondering if anyone thats into natural dyes tried coffee. I have played with a few pieces and sorry I dont have any pictures to post but have gotten a very very nice either really mild coffee color kind of like the baskins robbins icrcream (coffee flavored) to a much darker british tan/ saddle tan color once oiled. So far I have just boiled some coffee then strained it and let a couple of pieces sit over night to see what colors Id get. I dont have any projects that I can use it on right now though. Maybe in a week or so. Anyways I know holster makers are allways trying to find a streak free dye and usually in a natural color, if you are this is a cheap possibility for ya. try fresh beans just crack them open, boil in very little water, makes a like a paste form, then you can add as much water as needed to get the color ur looking at. buring the beans a little, while cooking them down makes it even darker. Quote
Scott1952 Posted January 5, 2009 Report Posted January 5, 2009 Look at my post in this section under "first attempts", It has pictures of my holsters done with coffee, black tea, and Tabasco. Scott Quote
rhall Posted January 5, 2009 Report Posted January 5, 2009 Old timers used plug tobac in vinager to make a stain for long rifles,sometimes soaking string in it and wrapping the stock,that why you see lines on the early Pa long arms. Quote
Members ChuckBurrows Posted January 6, 2009 Members Report Posted January 6, 2009 The main body of these was stained with coffee - extra dark roast instant - one jar of crystals boiled in two jars of distilled water......they've been aged but the color is pretty close to what they started out as...... Quote Wild Rose Trading Company Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.
MADMAX22 Posted January 6, 2009 Author Report Posted January 6, 2009 those are really nice. Very cool color. Quote
Members celticleather Posted January 6, 2009 Members Report Posted January 6, 2009 Just did a holster in black tea last night, setting in the sun today to tan. Will post photos when complete.Scott What's this stuff called 'sun', and where can I get some? I seem to have a dim and distant memory of it - something like a bright light in the sky? Quote When everyone is somebody, then no one's anybody
Members rickeyfro Posted January 7, 2009 Members Report Posted January 7, 2009 When using coffee or tea, what do you use to seal it?? Quote
Members MBOGO Posted February 8, 2009 Members Report Posted February 8, 2009 We need results, keep it going, I hate fumes from spirit dyes. Quote
Members ChuckBurrows Posted February 8, 2009 Members Report Posted February 8, 2009 When using coffee or tea, what do you use to seal it?? Any of the standard sealers (Neatlac, Tan Kote, Satin Shene, etc.) work just fine....... Quote Wild Rose Trading Company Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.
Members JohnnyCarver Posted February 8, 2009 Members Report Posted February 8, 2009 (edited) I agree with using coffee for bone beads. If you're looking for a natural aged bone look (kinda like nicotine stained teeth) then coffee's your best bet. I just brew up some coffee and let the beads soak over night. I don't boil my coffee cause i enjoy a cup while they're soaking. Also different roasts produce different shades. Light roasts produce lighter stains and Darker roasts produce darker stains. You can also use dyes for bone beads too. I've used the royal blue pro dye to stain some bone beads for a choker and they came out great. Just make sure to seal them with a stain or super sheen after wards if using dyes. Coffee is the best natural dye. I've even heard of some people using other natural organic materials also such as berries, cactus, etc. Anything organic can make a great alternative to oil/water based dyes. What'd you think mankind used before Fiebings? Yup! All the things growing from the ground. If you're eco-friendly at heart anything organic can be used. Just be creative! I've experimented with lots of different biological orgnisms and i've been happy with the result. Just make sure to test it first on a scrap before you're actual experiement. Boiling does help. I've seen a couple fully tooled purses colored with nothing but cactus oils and juice. The colors were amazingly bright. Be creative. Edited February 8, 2009 by JohnnyCarver Quote
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