Bright red arrow stain???

Mike Vines · April 07, 2011, 12:59:00 PM

Does anyone know where I might be able to find some bright red wood arrow stain? Everything I have is to dark for what I'm wanting to do. I want the bright red color, but still able to see the grain, so paint is not an option.

Would a fabric dye, or Kool-Aid work on cedar shafts?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

Zradix · April 07, 2011, 01:05:00 PM

Lots of guys use rit dye on wood.

I just looked at minwax and it doesn't look like they do.

If you don't like the rit idea shoot me a PM.
I might be able to mix you up an alcohol based stain that is bright red.

Just looked at the rit site.
They say to mix their dye with water for a wood stain. here is the link...
http://www.ritdye.com/dyeing-techniques/wood-wicker

also they have some fairly bright looking colors. Here is the color link with formulas for mixing their different dyes to make different shades.
http://www.ritdye.com/colorit_color_formula_guide

Friends call me Pac · April 07, 2011, 01:06:00 PM

Mike I use rit dye and a bottle of rubbing alchol. Just pour a pack of powdered rit dye into the bottle of alchol and shake it up. Apply with a rag. Might be an option.

kbetts · April 07, 2011, 01:08:00 PM

You can use the cheap acrylic craft paints from wally world. Water it down and wipe it on. At about $.40 a bottle you can't go wrong. Tom Parsons taught me that.

BTW, I haven't forgot your goose feathers. I'll pack some up this weekend.

hvyhitter · April 07, 2011, 01:13:00 PM

What Pac said!!!!... but make sure its the 91 percent and not the 70 percent (doesnt raise the grain as much and drys faster)

Stumpkiller · April 07, 2011, 01:17:00 PM

Fiebing's Leather Dye.

ripforce56 · April 07, 2011, 01:22:00 PM

I just did some with Rit and dentured alcohol turned out real nice grain shows thru too!

Pack · April 07, 2011, 01:24:00 PM

I have used the pre-mixed red Rit dye and it works very well, but if you can get the Fiebings in the red I would say go that route. Cedar is an easy wood to stain, but the Fiebings will work really well on just about any wood.

Tater 2 · April 07, 2011, 01:34:00 PM

Leather Dye works great just be careful and read the instructions it can contain some nasty stuff.Definately use in a ventilated area.

reddogge · April 07, 2011, 01:43:00 PM

These were Fiebings Leather Dye.

Jack Skinner · April 07, 2011, 01:59:00 PM

Another vote for leather dye, I use it on arrows as well as bow backs. Take a look at the Ox Blood red. I just did a rawhide backed yew bow with it and it is a cool color. I am going to do some shafts to match I like it so much.

Stumpkiller · April 07, 2011, 02:10:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Tater 2:
Leather Dye works great just be careful and read the instructions it can contain some nasty stuff.Definately use in a ventilated area.

Fiebings is water based and very mild stuff. I think it's the old aniline type dye that is a little less pleasant to work with.

Mike Vines · April 07, 2011, 02:28:00 PM

Thanks for all the great ideas guys. I'm going to stop at Joe's (my way of saying Joann Fabrics in a manly way) after I go to Bass Pro tonight and see what they have for either rit or leather dye.

Louis Urban · April 07, 2011, 02:51:00 PM

Mike, I believe I used somethings named "lockwoods" stain. I will check when I get home. I live in Southeast Michigan. If you are close enough I will just give it to you. I have used it and it is really bright red.

Lou

rraming · April 07, 2011, 02:55:00 PM

Transfast - aneline dye, I'll post a photo when I get home, brightest red you have ever seen

b44mag · April 07, 2011, 03:10:00 PM

ok guys just got off the phone with joanns fabric rit dye powder on sale 1.39 a pack
now the ? is after you use it with alcohol
what do you do next or are you done i have some ceder here and want to make some fluflus with it
do i put a top clear coat over it or just wipe and let dry done could you all post pics of your arrows with the rit alcohol wipe thanks

Mike Vines · April 07, 2011, 03:53:00 PM

your goint to want to put a clear coat over top of the stain, if you want your arrows to stay straight, and last longer.

reddogge · April 07, 2011, 04:10:00 PM

BTW the Fiebings I'm using is an analine dye, alcohol based. Both flammable and poisonous if ingested.

lpcjon2 · April 07, 2011, 04:20:00 PM

I did a few and let them sit in the dye for about 20 min or so and when they dried I hit them with a little 120 grit sp then poly and steel wool to more times and then a final poly coat.

Friends call me Pac · April 07, 2011, 04:35:00 PM

b44mag

I dump the rit dye into a bottle of alchol, shake it up and apply it with a rag. It will only take a few minutes to dry. Next I use fine steel wool to buff it a bit and smooth it some. Apply another coat and continue the process until the stain is as rich and deep as I think I can get it.

When the staining is done I clearcoat/seal with 2 coats of polyurathane.