oil cloth

[Daveydog]

I want to make an oil cloth.Would like it to be a light brown when it's done.Where do in get the cloth.what do i use for dye and what kind of oil do i use.

 

[Black Hand]

To get light brown, you'll need to dye your cloth (walnuts/Rit/???) then paint it with linseed oil. That said, linseed oil on undyed canvas will yield a yellow-brown color. Linen would be preferred over cotton as it is stronger, but can be expensive.

A question to ask - Is light brown a HC color?

 

[Birdman]

actually a tanish color would be much more historicaly correct then any of the white tents n tarps ya see at events today, the white canvas we use today was'nt even around in the 1700s if I remember correctly, the linnen cloth n such has a natural light brown or tannish color to it

 

[Black Hand]

...the linnen cloth n such has a natural light brown or tannish color to it

Natural linen is actually more of a greenish-gray color....

 

[davec2]

I would suggest you try to find a copy of "Staining and Finishing for Muzzleloading Gun Builders" by William Knight and William Mende. It has an extensive chapter with all the information about correctly making oil cloth.

 

[crockett]

In Dana's book "Two Years before the Mast" written in 1834 (I believe) they used canvas and painted it with linseed oil- for making waterproof clothing to wear while sailing around the Horn. For earlier times- don't know.

 

[stone knife]

Raw or boiled linseed oil?

 

[Black Hand]

Boiled.
However, keep in mind that the modern version of "boiled" is not the same as the historical.

Also, if you use the boiled on cotton canvas, it tends to make it stiff and prone to tearing (or cracking when folded in cold weather). Cotton is not very tough compared to linen or hemp.

Another option that could be used is "barn paint". Essentially a mixture of boiled linseed oil, colorants and dryers. Easier than making it yourself.