What are my options for staining, colouring wooden arrow shafts?

I'm thinking of camo colours, pretty patterns.  If i sealed the wood first could i used marker pens to colour in the pattern i want and then seal over that?

If so what kind of sealant is good?

I don't want to use wraps as i like DIY stuff where poss.

Sorry if that seems a silly idea, i'm not that up on my wood working/finishing.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks

   

Before sealing, you might try just dobbing on sploches with wood stain or leather dye and then seal.  I usally just spray my shafts with satin poly.

You could use the markers on sealed wood and then lightly spray poly over it. Wiping it on may smudge your designs. Check first to see if they run from a spray as well. After a couple of coats of spray, they oughta be good to go with a wipe-on or dip if that is your preference.

I use aniline dyes or Minwax stains, and spray painted caps. Wraps are no fun on tapered shafts.  

I make my own stains with powdered dye poured into a bottle of 90% rubbing alcohol...drys real quick and can be sealed after about an hour.

Ritt dye and alcohol.  use a wool dabber from the leather store and cammo your heart out.
Cammo arrows look cool until you start looking for one over the target.  I use yellow-easy to find in the desert.

I use analine dyes. Valley Traditional Archery has about a bazillion colors to choose from and each bottle will do dozens and dozens of shafts.

Darren

Thanks a bunch for all your tips.  Lots of options there for me to try.

Should have my new shafts here in a couple of days and i'll start trying stuff out after the hols.  Let ya know how i get on.

All the best!

Stan

 

I strongly second analine dyes. They come as a powder and are water soluble, very cheap. Because they are water soluble they dry in seconds, and you can smear-blend one color into another for really cool camo and just artful affects. I use nothing but analines on all my bows and arrows. If you want a flat camo finish, use a flat finish. With a glossy clear finish, you can really make 'em light up. I buy mine from Wildcat Canyon Archery in CO, but lots of trad bow suppliers handle the stuff. Bottom line: if you stain an arrow or bow with analine and realize you don't like it before applying final finish, just wipe it off with a wet sponge and start over. Any faint residue will be easily covered over with the fresh coat.

Icing gel works good.  Seal with water based poly afterwards.  Little gel, dilute a bit with water and rub it on.  One advantage to this is your wife mite have some in the cubbard, read no cash outlay.  Even so it only costs a couple of bucks.   Take care.  Swabby.

Oh yeah, you find it in the supermarket by the food colorings.  Swabby

For the shaft I use leather dye. Dark Brown makes a pretty colored shaft.