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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: magnus on August 11, 2010, 03:22:00 PM

Title: Feather dying?
Post by: magnus on August 11, 2010, 03:22:00 PM
Does dying turkey and goose feathers negate there water proofing? Thanks in advance!
Magnus
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: Footed Shaft on August 11, 2010, 04:46:00 PM
No , it does not magnus. You will still see the oil line in the feather after you dye it. I have dyed hundreds of feathers and am always happy with the water proofness( is that a word?? lol ) with my feathers. Bill
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: magnus on August 11, 2010, 04:50:00 PM
Thanks Bill. That's what I was hoping for.  
Magnus
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: Footed Shaft on August 11, 2010, 04:52:00 PM
I use one part vinegar to two parts water. Add the Koolaid after the water has boiled  :)
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: magnus on August 11, 2010, 05:04:00 PM
Really Koolaid? Never heard of that. Thanks Bill.
Magnus
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: snag on August 11, 2010, 05:18:00 PM
I like Cherry! I use the same formula as Footed Shaft. Works great.
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: magnus on August 11, 2010, 06:28:00 PM
How much do you need? Water vinegar koolaid. Make a half gallon? How long do you soak them for?
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: Footed Shaft on August 12, 2010, 07:53:00 AM
Bring 2 cups of water and a cup of vinegar to a boil in a small flat tray. Turn off heat and add one pack of Koolaid and stir very well. Add feathers and be sure to have them ALL under the surface of the solution. I leave mine in for 7 mins( stiring them up every 2 mins or so ) , then take them out of the solution , run them under cold water and put them on a little drying rack to dry over night.  Bill
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: magnus on August 12, 2010, 07:58:00 AM
Thanks Bill. One last question. I do this after they're split and ground correct? Thanks again!
Magnus
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: 2treks on August 12, 2010, 08:06:00 AM
KOOLAID! I guess it should be good for something. it aint fit to drink!  :laughing:  
I was gonna get me some feather dye from GREATNORTHERN this weekend. maybe I will go the koolaid route. When I was in the U.S.NAVY we called it BUGJUICE, used it to polish brass and soak of rust and corosion.   :eek:
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: Aeronut on August 12, 2010, 08:29:00 AM
Koolaid does a good job.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/aeronut/Arrows/DSC07149.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/aeronut/Arrows/DSC06825.jpg)

Dennis
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: Footed Shaft on August 12, 2010, 10:26:00 AM
Yes after they are split and ground. Dennis nice pics !!  Bill
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: magnus on August 12, 2010, 10:28:00 AM
Thanks to all. I know what I'll be doing this evening.
Magnus
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: Footed Shaft on August 12, 2010, 12:39:00 PM
Magnus, it helps as well to soak the fethers in the sink with HOT tap water and a small shot of Joy ( or whatever dish soap you have) . It helps with removing any blood and dirt, so the Koolaid takes better. Bill
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: magnus on August 12, 2010, 01:23:00 PM
Dawn won't take the natural oils out will it? That's all I have. Thanks for the tip.
Magnus
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: Footed Shaft on August 12, 2010, 01:38:00 PM
Nope , not for the amount of time it will be in the bath ( about 5 min ) .   :)   Bill
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: magnus on August 12, 2010, 01:52:00 PM
Then rinse right? Sorry to ask so many questions but I don't have many feathers left and don't want to mess any up. Thanks for all your help Bill!
Magnus
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: Footed Shaft on August 12, 2010, 01:55:00 PM
Yep, then rinse. If you mess any up, you just let me know, i know a guy who has hundreds!!  ;)   Bill
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: magnus on August 12, 2010, 01:58:00 PM
Sounds good. Thanks again!
Magnus
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: Footed Shaft on August 12, 2010, 02:00:00 PM
Matt, PM sent. Bill
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: J.Williams on August 13, 2010, 06:23:00 PM
Food coloring works well also.
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: magnus on August 13, 2010, 06:37:00 PM
J.
Do you use the same mixture 2-1?
Magnus
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: J.Williams on August 13, 2010, 09:28:00 PM
No Magnus,I don't really have a "mix ratio" and I usually use less vinegar than that and it works fine.I'm sure the 2:1 mix works good,though.
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: magnus on August 14, 2010, 09:49:00 AM
Thanks J.
Will try that as well. Lots of food coloring here. Girl friends bakes a lot.
Magnus
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: Aeronut on August 14, 2010, 03:15:00 PM
Here is the method I used.

 http://www.ronnlucassr.com/docs/Dying%20Feathers%20101.pdf  

The hotter it is and the longer you leave it in the solution gives them deeper colors.

Dennis
Title: Re: Feather dying?
Post by: magnus on August 14, 2010, 03:43:00 PM
Thanks Denise!
It really helps to read step by step instructions. Good Picts too.
Magnus