General discussion > Contemporary Accoutrements

staining antler

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JohnnyM:
Personally, I tend to think aging  deer antler is overdone and too dark. 
Take a look at many old measures in collections.  Most that I've seen still look kinda white, 'specially when compared to what you find on the trade table at the fairs.  Nothin' beats genuine use for that genuine patina.  It really doesn't take too long neither.  The oils from yer skin and residual dirt and grime take care of it just fine.

But if you want to cut back that just filed white gleam.  I prefer a mug of this mornin's coffee.  Dunk it in let it set a spell, fish it out.  The feibing's can give ya a golden tone, but again, can easily be overdone.   The trick is for the incised or recessed areas to appear slightly darker than the rest of the surface.  That is where the 'dark' will accumulate.

I've noticed differences 'tween fresh antler and shed antler in its composition and color.  One of the measures I made that won a ribbon at Dixon's was not 'aged' at all.  While I was filing the shape, I noticed the color change from the typical bone white to a warm lavender-brown.  This was a whitetail shed.  I've noticed this color variation more-so in elk sheds.

Sometimes less is more.

Other's mileage may vary.

Regards

bigsky:
A taxidermist I know uses Old English Furniture Polish Scratch Cover - the dark colored liquid bottle.  He likes it because it both colors and conditions antler, and he can control the amount of color applied by the number of applications.  It works like a stain so color changes are not as dramatic or immediate as with a dye but this gives more control.  Just be sure to polish the antler back after application so that the ridges are not as dark as the grooves.

Warner:
Boil onion skins in water ,but your horn or antler in and let sit until you get the color you want.

T*O*F:
Strong tea will work well, as will an infusion of plug tobacco and household ammonia.

Collector:
What I've done:  Rub Neetsfoot Oil into/onto the antler, gradually, over the course of a few days, or so.  Secure the piece of antler, such that you can get to all sides without interference.  Using a small torch, suitable for soldering, lightly/gradually heat the antler.  The bubbling oil will act as a tell-tale, if you're applying too much heat, too quickly.  The burned/blackened antler is cooled and then rubbed back with fine emery paper.  It produces a warm brown color with some shades of a dark brown mixed in on the higher surfaces.  The lower surfaces will retain their lighter color.  Reapply oil to finish and you're done.  Practice with some scrap pieces, for yourself.  One thing I would caution is that if you have any 'defined' edges, such as on a carving, the heat will 'round' them off and there's no going back.  Three hours of tedious work, gone in under 2 seconds.  Don't ask me how I know this, the memories are still too painful.  :'(  Good luck!!   

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