Horn builders...a question on adding color

[brazosland]

You see many horns with the spout end reduced in diameter and carved. This area is also stained a black, or sometimes a honey brown.

How are those colors applied and what products are used to do it?

 

[Ames]

Mix up a solution of Rit dye, full strength or close to it. Put the dye in a quart jar in a double boiler. Bring the solution up to very hot but not boiling. Hang or stand the horn tip in the solution for 20-30 minutes. Make sure it covers all that you want stained.
Afterwards, any dye that made its way onto the main body of the horn can be easily scraped off with a single edge razor.

 

[Eutycus]

Excuse me, that first cup of coffee hasn't kicked in yet. When standing the tip in the solution is the spout already connected? In other words are we staining just the horn or the wooden spout too?

 

[Ames]

Just the horn. Drilled, sanded, not plugged.

 

[Westbrook]

Mix up a solution of Rit dye, full strength or close to it. Put the dye in a quart jar in a double boiler. Bring the solution up to very hot but not boiling. Hang or stand the horn tip in the solution for 20-30 minutes. Make sure it covers all that you want stained.
Afterwards, any dye that made its way onto the main body of the horn can be easily scraped off with a single edge razor.

I've seen some folks add vinegar to their RIT to make it "set"....is that not necessary with the high temp dip?

thanks

 

[Eutycus]

Are we talking about apple cider or white vinegar? Or does it matter?

 

[Ames]

Never used vinegar. Never had the need to try it.
If unsure, you can test it out by soaking the cut off tip before soaking the horn.

 

[Robby]

Pickled horn, Yum!
Robby

 

[Realwarrior]

Yes rit dye and just a little white vinegar or salt.

 

[Tumbledown]

I did mine with a bit of black liquid RIT (maybe 1/4 cup at most) in a can, added a couple cups of hot water, then stood the horn up in it. Any dye on the white areas can be sanded or buffed off. Use at least 320 grit paper, then 0000 steel wool tp polish up.

 

[Mad Irish Jack]

I know some hornsmiths that use HAIR dye. Horn IS hair and that dye works great on the horns. Using a darker blonde gives that aged, yellowing look. It can be soaked or if you want the early aging process look, brush it where you want it. If you want to add colors to art work, then use the various colors of liquid Rit Dye and artist brushes and apply where needed. You keep the color dye in their tightened cap bottles and store properly. I keep them stored upside down to help seal out the air. These dye can be mixed by using a dropper to add them together and then clean the droppers after the proper color is gotten.

 

[S.Kenton]

I use fieblings leather dye on mine. Black and dark brown are the colors I use. If your fortunate enough to get a black tipped horn , no dye is required, I’ve made a few of those.