giving my faded cotton camo a new lease on life

[ozy clint]

these pants have been through many muddy swamps in pursuit of boars and with all the washing they have faded considerably. so i broke out the permanent sharpie marker and set about reviving them.

i added heaps of contrast back into them simply by darkening the once black areas. it has made a huge difference to them. the left leg i've done. the right one is the original print. it is much more faded than it looks.

hopefully the 1st wash won't undo all my good work.
 

i've got a matching top that i've allready done.

[BowHuntingFool]

WOWZA, that turned out pretty good! I'm impressed!          

[mbbushman]

It should last quite a while before it fades. I've done that to my blaze orange in the past. I just drew my best copy of the Predator design with a permanent marker. It's probably been close to 10 years, and it still shows up fairly clear.

[saltwatertom]

Huh? You can wash camo hunting clothes?

[Mo. Huntin]

That looks good.  How long did it take?  Let us know how long it lasts

[doeboy]

Ozzy,

Let us know about the odor of the marker on the pants after a few washings. i wonder how long it is going to smell? Great idea.

[JC]

Looks great Clint.

[Deadsmple]

  I just had a "why didn't I think of that" moment! Thanks for sharing.

[doug g]

That should last for a while. Sanford makes a laundry pen that is like a sharpie but specifically made to be washed repeatedly. If you can't find one locally I carry them in my store let me know. Doug, owner of Davison Office Products.

[Over&Under]

I have to say, you are quite talented with that sharpie!!!  That is very impressive indeed!  Looks better than brand new!

[unclewhit]

Ozy, great job, they are going to look like new when you get em' done.

On another note, did you find work? Are you going to stay in BC for awhile? Hope things are comming together for ya.

[ozy clint]

smell is gone after a day of airing out.

[Shore08]

I'd always heard that the fading is actually the cotton 'pilling', and that it could be taken care of by shaving the item with a lady's razor. Never tried it, and I have no idea if it is true.

On the other hand, a sharpie is definitely more manly, and there is no denying your method worked great! Congrats man.

[LC]

You know I'm not so sure I wouldn't leave it that way! The object is to break up the human outline remember. heck thats why I like to wear two different camos from top to bottom.

[wihill]

I like it!  I think the only thing I'd do differently would be to not quite fill in the "black" limbs all the way, as it seems they clump up in a couple spots.  Other than that, I think it looks better than the original pattern.

Great job, Ozy!

[Big Ed]

My problem is usually by the time they fade I grow out of them. LOL  Great Idea, I like the contrast.

[hunt it]

Ozy,

Just draw that pattern on ya legs you won't need nothing but a loin cloth.  :D

[ozy clint]

come through the 1st wash okay  

[TRAP]

I'd say you're half of the way to having a "like new" pair of camo pants.  

Nice job,

Trap

[Bonebuster]

It will last just fine, I`ve been doing it for years. And if it does fade, just re-do it.