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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Buemaker on January 19, 2016, 03:28:00 PM

Title: Coloring bamboo
Post by: Buemaker on January 19, 2016, 03:28:00 PM

I have seen it mentioned before, but can not find it.
How do you stain/color a bamboo back?  Bue

Title: Re: Coloring bamboo
Post by: Roy from Pa on January 19, 2016, 04:29:00 PM

With your hands, stain, and rubber gloves...  :)

Title: Re: Coloring bamboo
Post by: KenH on January 19, 2016, 04:34:00 PM

If the 'skin' is still on the bamboo, it's almost impossible to color, as the skin is practically impervious.  But otherwise any of the analine wood dyes will work.

Title: Re: Coloring bamboo
Post by: macbow on January 19, 2016, 04:43:00 PM

I usually sand a good portion of the rind away before staining.
Usually there will be streaks in the finished job, something I like. Less streaks with more sanding.

I like dyes mixed with alcohol but water soluable will also work.

Title: Re: Coloring bamboo
Post by: Roy from Pa on January 19, 2016, 04:59:00 PM

Remove the rind carefully. If there are deep depressions, leave them there, sand lightly. Mix a LITTLE powder with denatured alcohol. Use a rag and make one complete swipe from end to end, or from riser to end. If you stop and go again, it will leave a mark. But if you swipe over it again real quick, the mark will blend in. You will love it. If it gets too dark, steel wool it and it will lighten up.

 http://woodworker.com/alcohol-soluble-brt-yellow-golden-oak-aniline-dye-mssu-845-541.asp?search=Stain&searchmode=2

Title: Re: Coloring bamboo
Post by: bowhunter15 on January 19, 2016, 05:00:00 PM

Fast forward to 26:12 is how I did mine.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xljOvsexlkg

Title: Re: Coloring bamboo
Post by: Buemaker on January 20, 2016, 05:49:00 PM

Thank you   :)

Title: Re: Coloring bamboo
Post by: 7 Lakes on January 23, 2016, 05:36:00 PM

After removing the rind I use Frebrings leather dyes.  I like to mix up a brown and dip a piece of yarn into it.  Lay the soaked piece of yarn across the bow from left to right all the way down the bow and let it soak in good.  This will give the bow a "Curly" effect as you lightly wipe on the same brown stain all over the back.  PS.  This works good when refinishing "cheap" rifle stocks also.

Title: Re: Coloring bamboo
Post by: Roy from Pa on January 23, 2016, 06:07:00 PM

Another neat affect is using a rough cloth such as a wash cloth. Dip it into the stain and slide it gently down the limb and those tiny little threads of the cloth lays a nice streaky design on the bow.

Title: Re: Coloring bamboo
Post by: Bob at Work on February 09, 2016, 05:38:00 PM

or "blot" the application of leather dye, using a cotton ball,  to make the boo look like burl...  :)

Title: Re: Coloring bamboo
Post by: M60gunner on February 12, 2016, 06:15:00 PM

Regular wood stain works as well. Remove the enamel (rind to bowyers) first. A lite sanding will do. Just make sure the stain works with your finally finish.
There used to be a "toner" available to bamboo fly rod makers as well. I "flame" the bamboo first with a torch. Of course it is easy for me,I do the whole clum before splitting it. I have used MinWax stain to touch up areas that got to lite when planing the tapers.