Apple Vinegar stain on horn

[gizamo]

Been trying to experiment with different dye/stain methods....based on apple vinegar. Currently, I have quite a few different formulations going.  The horn body below was dyed this morning with a iron and apple vinegar solution in a cold process.  It was brushed on and wiped off.  I placed a sister horn next to it to give an idea of how well it blended the white color.  This may be a safe and suitable alternative to the use of aqua fortis.



Giz

[justAwink]

I am colorblind so my opinion means little but I really like the color it gives. Are you disolving the iron filing into the AC vinegar similar to making nitric acid?

[skillman]

I like the color Giz. Will it get a bit darker with age or more coats? I have a couple of old horns (contemporary) that have a similar color but the makers are gone so no way to ask about methods. Keep us posted.

Steve

[Tim Crosby]

 Sounds interesting, I have some sitting here, I will give it a try.

   Tim C.

[gizamo]

Heinze is making a unfiltered and unpasteurised product at 5%. Comes in quart bottles.

Two washed of oil steel wool pads and a quart mason jar are all the materials you need.

Makes a superb medium brown leather stain...as well. 

Giz

[skillman]

Great info Giz. Thanks.

Steve

[gizamo]

Steve....

I should add that this concoction should be done with a loose lid while it off gases.  After it is done working...pour it through a coffee strainer.

Also,  do it out in the garage or basement....as it has the basic odor of a beer @$#%! 

She who must be obeyed.... might have some say in such matters. 

[Shreckmeister]

That eagle horn is awesome.  Especially the engrailing.

[gizamo]

The Eagle is a compilation of three different Tansel"s.  The engrailing is my favorite design...and easy to do.  Trying to decide what to do with the rest of the scribe work.  Might do a few more Tansel designs.  Will be doing a metal repair piece to the baseplug and square nail it....then I will forge a staple.

Giz

[aaronc]

that is a fine looking horn top to bottom, love the scroll type border on the body next to the throat.  color is awesome,.......on my to do list for future horns. thanks for posting.

-Aaron

[gizamo]

How's this....

At first I was wore by a Bull -
the next by an ox in full Pride -
But now I am Powder Full-
and worn by the Soldiers Side

Giz

[Hawken62_flint]

Very nice horn, and nice coloration.  Thanks for the tip on the apple cider vinegar--I am sure it will be used many times by the members.

[bigbat]

Vinegar will soften the horn if you are working it with a minimum of tools, leave it soak, whittle on it in your spare time, put it back in the pail to soften and then carve some more.  Put a handful of golden onion skins in water, with a quart of REAL vinegar and you will get a very nice dye. I use to use this all exclusively, but switched years ago and never went back.

[gizamo]

Scott...

How much water did you use vs. the quart of real vinegar?

Giz

[aaronc]

gizamo,
            is soaking the steel wool in mineral spirits sufficient to degrease ?? Also how long does it take the stain to "brew" ?,..............for lack of a better word.   

Thanks,  Aaron

[bigbat]

I immerse the entire horn and simmer it til I get the color and shade I want. So I use a container big enough to do the job, fill it with enough water to cover the horn. The vinegar will soften the surface slightly and allow the stain from the onion skins to sink in a little. Put the whole quart of vinegar (real vinegar)  Its harder to find real vinegar.  Save the dye in an old drywall mud pail.

[gizamo]

gizamo,
            is soaking the steel wool in mineral spirits sufficient to degrease ?? Also how long does it take the stain to "brew" ?,..............for lack of a better word.  

Thanks,  Aaron

Hot tap water and a little detergent.  Rinse with hot water. 

It takes a good 3-4 weeks with 5% acidity of the vinegar. Swirling it every few days helps speed the process.  After, strain it through a coffee filter.

From this base you can immediately lighten the stain by mixing in more vinegar.

Giz

[gizamo]

Scott.....

Thanks Amigo.  Will give it a try!   

Giz

[aaronc]

gizamo,
            is soaking the steel wool in mineral spirits sufficient to degrease ?? Also how long does it take the stain to "brew" ?,..............for lack of a better word.  

Thanks,  Aaron

Hot tap water and a little detergent.  Rinse with hot water. 

It takes a good 3-4 weeks with 5% acidity of the vinegar. Swirling it every few days helps speed the process.  After, strain it through a coffee filter.

From this base you can immediately lighten the stain by mixing in more vinegar.

Giz



Giz,    got my Heinz vinegar tonight and will start the soak tomorrow evening after my steel wool wash. Thanks -Aaron
       

[bigbat]

read the label,  Vinegar is not real vinegar anymore.

[TradT]

Looks to me like it came out real well! Nice looking horn.