Staining Rawhide Backing

[Bevan R.]

I have some goat rawhide I am using for a backing. I was wondering if anyone had ever dyed their rawhide while it was soaking in water before applying. I have some water soluable aniline dies and was thinking I could get rid of the near white color and soften it for applying at the same time.

[JW_Halverson]

You can use water soluble dye like fabric dye, or grab some food coloring, even Kool Aid for some brilliant colors.  I usually use oil based stain after the rawhide is applied to the back of the bow.

[medicinewheel]

I'm sure it will work the way you plan it, but it's probably the easier (and cleaner) job to dye the applied rawhide after it dried. I used waterbased wood dyes, also painted rawhide with acrylic and India ink.
This one has waterbased wood dye on the rawhide:   http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,16577.0.html

[adb]

I wouldn't dye it before gluing... might cause problems with adhesion. But, you can do pretty much whatever you want with the rawhide once it's dry.

[Mark Anderson]

I agree with adb and medicinewheel. Not only would it be easier and cleaner but I have always sanded down my rawhide AFTER I apply it. It seems to come out much smoother that way.
Also, as for dye, I have only used Rit dye cut with some rubbing alcohol and it works great, lots of color choices too.
Mark

[JW_Halverson]

Some mention sanding their rawhide smooth after it has dried.  Another way is to remove the wraps after a few hours and once the glue has set (assuming you are using something like TB II or III).  Then wipe the rawhide down with a damp sponge up and down until the rawhide swells a little.  It will then dry smooth without taking on the wrap texture. 

If you use hide glue, this is how you get the rawhide to fall off.  But that's a story for another day. 

[boerneaggie]

I have stained rawhide and used it as backing very successfully.  I stretched and dried the rawhide and allowed it to dry like you normally would.  I stained it using black walnut husks crushed and placed in water and boiled it down to where it was thicker than water but thinner than syrup.  Allowed it to cool.  I put the dried rawhide in the stain slowing letting the hide get soft and pushing it in a little at a time.  Once it was completely in, I placed a rock on it and left if submerged for one week.  I then pulled it out, wrung it out and stretched it like you do regular rawhide.  I cut the strips and used it as backing using hide glue.  It is black as night and workes very well.  The die had no effect on the glue. 

Good luck,
David

[medicinewheel]

Hello David, welcome to PA!
Huh, we don't believe what you did to that rawhide, and that it is black as night and stuff... we need to see evidence... pictures, you know!

[boerneaggie]

I've had trouble posting the pictures.  Let's see if this worked.

[boerneaggie]

I've had trouble getting the pictures resized.  Let's see if this works.

[medicinewheel]

uhh, pretty good start David; you can post 640X480, 200kb pics, six at one post.

[boerneaggie]

The bow is finished.  It is elm, 53lbs at 26.5" and is 65.5" tip to tip.  I've taken one buck with it last year.