Staining Powder Horns

[Marlan]

What different methods do you all use to stain powder horns, and how durable is the stain/color when you are finished?

 

[2172]

I've only stained two..the first one 10 years ago stained fast and deeply, the second one, done a week ago came out not as deep, but about what I wanted..I also did a beef bone handle knife at this time too. I used Old Bones both times, and wonder if the formula changed in the 10 years, or maybe I just got it too concentrated 10 years ago..Hank

 

[Marlan]

Thanks Hank, I've got some Old Bones at home....

 

[soggy]

What different methods do you all use to stain powder horns, and how durable is the stain/color when you are finished?

I use a solution of apple cider vinegar and onion skins as suggested in Scott Sibley's book.I like the finished results, although the process is a bit "stinky" I haven't had any complaints as to the durability of the stain.
My .02c worth
Soggy

 

[rich pierce]

I'm with Soggy on this one.
If you want an orangish gold color, boil osage orange wood shavings and then cook the horn in that dye. It is super durable.

 

[Hawken12]

rit dye,heat it up and dunk er in,any colour ye want and ya kin mix em to git the colour ya want.
Stains real good on horn,rite now I'm tryin to git it off the parts I want white,started with #4 steel wool,thinkin that;ll do er ...Nope I'm down to # 220 grit and still workin,bout an hr now ,this'll do it,but she set in good.

 

[omarick1948]

This subject is in several place's in this section and also other threads of the forum. Check 'um out!

 

[tom hargrove]

i have also had very good luck with rit dye for horns the sunshine orange mixed with some brown will give you a very nice amber color , horner you must have some ideas on the stain ,but yet you never share ,only complain :nono:

 

[Hawken12]

,First thangs first,Thanx Horner.
Now one way I've tried ,this was a piece,for museum,so had ta be PC,to git the golden colour I researched and found that the inner bark of the sumac tree\bush,gives that colour,brot a load home and boiled er in wifes pan(another reason ,I'm single now)stain never did come out.So be mighty careful...I digress,thenI put the horn in and boiled her agin,let it cool down in the pot...Don't do this in the house...don't ask.,it does give a sweet old yella colour.and does not come off[url] easy.Somethings[/url] never.
Don't ask bout walnut hulls,same method same results .word fer word.heed the warnin,yer idea of 50 % ain't hers.

 

[AeroncaTAL]

Rit dye. Easy to do, and I've been having fun experimenting with color combinations.
Scott

 

[AeroncaTAL]

Hawken,
Try a scraper. I found that worked better than the sandpaper.
Scott

 

[Marlan]

Thanks for the replys guys, this is some good stuff!!!

 

[omarick1948]

Two-bellys....lighten up!
Again as usual, if you read my post. I told Lonbbarrel62 that basically, but with fewer words, there are other place's on this forum, where he can find information about coloring powder horns. I didn't realize that my post reply was a complaint! HAVE A NICE DAY! :wink:

 

[ladysmithtrading]

Horn takes leather dyes very well, you'll have to nock them back a bit with steel wool to lighten them or layer colors, a very good source for dyes that work and are permanent are beauty supply stores, hair dye is excellent, try to get the dyes that are 2 part gels, color and activator, that way can you mix only the amount you need and is easy to control, brush on, leave sit for 24 hours and rinse well with warm water.

 

[dlpowell]

Rit dye is the best I've found. While the horn is hot cover it in a dark stain and wipe off. The stain will fill ant cracks, and fills in the lines on your scrimshaw. If you want to grunge it up a bit while the stain is on cover the stain with black powdered paint and take your bare hands and rub the paint in real good. Now take a rag with stain on it and carefully wipe off the black paint. Oh yeah, cover your plug with the stain and paint. It works great. My horns turn out a nice light to medium brown. Clean off your hands with hand cleaner from the auto parts store.
To age your plugs further take bees wax and rub it into the wood. This will leave random deposits of wax. Rub the beeswax fast with your hands to heat it up and work it into the wood.