Ball Bags

[FishDFly]

I have two (2) nice ball bags that I bought from the Classified some time in the past.

They have a wood stopper attached to the bag with a string. The bags are made of thin leather and appears that they were formed around some kind of form and they are stitched around the edge.

The color is basically an off white. I would like to darken the color to a medium to dark brown so they do not show stains.

What do I stain the leather with? I do not want to soften the leather, I want to maintain the rigid shape and contour of the ball bag? The ball bag is kind of like a tight drum now and I do not wish to ruin it.

Thanks

RDE

 

[RC]

I got some of them....I'd think light coatings of any leather stain would work..seems you'd REALLY have to soak it to soften it any..... :thumbsup:

 

[blacksmithman64]

I have a couple from the same fella! You don't want to soak them or they'll lose their shape. I just wiped some black walnut stain on them, I didn't dunk them, just took a rag soaked in the mix and wiped it on. I'd show some pics but I already have them loaded up to go to the range tomorrow...

 

[FishDFly]

Thanks to all for the information.

I really like the bags and I do not want to ruin them.

RDE

 

[Crossfire]

How about filling them with sand and then applying the dye. Then, even if you screwup, the shape will stay the same after it has dried and you let the sand out.

 

[musketman]

I have a couple from the same fella! You don't want to soak them or they'll lose their shape. I just wiped some black walnut stain on them, I didn't dunk them, just took a rag soaked in the mix and wiped it on. I'd show some pics but I already have them loaded up to go to the range tomorrow...

If you cannot find a bottle of walnut stain, use the green walnut hulls from the black walnut tree itself, they contain tannin and give a rich dark brown color. They make a good trap dye too.

Note: They will stain your hands and body as well until dried.

 

[omarick1948]

Let 'um get a little grubby and naturally dirty! This really isn't a "squeeky clean" pastime and they will look good, used and "Old Timey"!

Rick :thumbsup:

 

[FishDFly]

musketman,

The only walnuts here are in the grocery store in plastic bags and used for baking.

horner75,

After thinking, most likely your are right.

Natural use might be the best.

Okay, I bought 2. I will use one and put one up for future consideration.

Seems like the right thing to do.

Thanks to all,

RDE

 

[musketman]

The fastest way to age any item is to give it to the kids to play with outside for a few hours. :wink: :grin:

 

[FishDFly]

Huh, I am now able to keep things in decent shape and not have them lost now that there are no kids around.

I guess I can throw them in my farm truck, the dirt there will age them with not problem, some red dirt and grease should do it.

Thanks

RDE

 

[Pork Chop]

I have a couple from the same fella! You don't want to soak them or they'll lose their shape. I just wiped some black walnut stain on them, I didn't dunk them, just took a rag soaked in the mix and wiped it on. I'd show some pics but I already have them loaded up to go to the range tomorrow...

If you cannot find a bottle of walnut stain, use the green walnut hulls from the black walnut tree itself, they contain tannin and give a rich dark brown color. They make a good trap dye too.

Note: They will stain your hands and body as well until dried.

Can that be used as a wood stain also? Care to 'splain the process to me?

 

[paulvallandigham]

Put those Green husks- they come off exposing the inner " nut " you are more used to seeing--- in a container with water and let the dye leach out of the husks into the water. When the water becomes dark enough, or after a couple of month, you can throw the husks away, skim and filter the dark water left behind, and then pour it into a contain to boil the water, to reduce the volume and thicken the dye. Make it as thin or as thick as you desire. Test by using some kind of brush or swab to spread the dye on wood and see how dark it gets. The dye can also be used on cloth, soaking the cloth in a solution of the dye.

The dye is acidic( Walnuts are rich in tannic acid), rather than basic, so you want to protect your hands while using it. When you get the color you want,you probably would be better off using a paste of baking soda and water to wash down the area of wood, or to rinse the clothe in using fresh water, in order to stop the acid working. That should also "set " the dye, so that it does not run, or " bleed". Store the dye in glass jars with good lids( Like mason jars.)Kept sealed, it should last for years.

 

[blacksmithman64]

Paul probably explained the proper professional way, but heres how I do it! :grin: I usually use the brown/black ones that already fell from the tree but if ya gotta use fresh green ones (they smell great!)I throw 'em in a big galvanized tub over a fire, cover 'em with water and 1/2 lb of salt and boil 'em a couple hours while sippin' on a cold one. Then I set the tub off and cover it a couple weeks. This ferments the nut hulls and gets them brown/black.Then back on the fire and heat it up. At this point you can dye cloth or leather or what have you; and then give your article a rinse with clean cold water.When its dry shake it out good, there'll be dirt, bark, bugs and stuff all in it! :barf: Then regular wash. :thumbsup: Hey...it works! :haha:

 

[RC]

Paul probably explained the proper professional way, but heres how I do it! :grin: I usually use the brown/black ones that already fell from the tree but if ya gotta use fresh green ones (they smell great!)I throw 'em in a big galvanized tub over a fire, cover 'em with water and 1/2 lb of salt and boil 'em a couple hours while sippin' on a cold one. Then I set the tub off and cover it a couple weeks. This ferments the nut hulls and gets them brown/black.Then back on the fire and heat it up. At this point you can dye cloth or leather or what have you; and then give your article a rinse with clean cold water.When its dry shake it out good, there'll be dirt, bark, bugs and stuff all in it! :barf: Then regular wash. :thumbsup: Hey...it works! :haha:

:shocked2: AND Ladies...this guy is SINGLE! :thumbsup:

 

[paulvallandigham]

All the fundamentals are there. I can't drink, so without the pleasant presence of the beer, the odor coming off that large pot of water and walnut hulls you are cooking is enough to drive me away!


Its certainly a quick way to get dye, provided you can stay up wind of it. Thanks for the addition of information. :thumbsup:

 

[blacksmithman64]

:rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :thumbsup: Its gonna take a REAL woman to tame this backwoodsman!

 

[OldNo7]

Why not just use brown shoe polish???

It should work well! (I think...)

Old No7

 

[FishDFly]

I was wondering the same thing.

Comments on shoe polish please.

RDE

 

[Walker357]

I've used brown shoe polish on holsters and sheaths. It gives a pleasant brown color that can be darkened with another coat. The color isn't even, but has a slightly dappled effect. Personally, I like it better than the results with black polish.

 

[skunkskinner]

I was wondering the same thing.

Comments on shoe polish please.

RDE

Buying a can of shoe polish just ain't as much fun. :wink:

It's the learning curve that keeps life interesting.