Darkening Osage Recommendations

[Dean Marlow]

 I have take down Osage bow that is about complete that  has 2 different colored Osage limbs. I didn't use side by side billets and as you can see one is quite a bit darker than the other. What would you recommend to get the one limb a little closer in color to the darker one. I was thinking some Rit Dye but would like your advise. Dean

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[Josh]

It will darken on its own over time, but so will your dark limb, LOL.  UV rays cause osage to darken I would just leave it like it is... maybe it will even out eventually but i think it looks cool like that... More of a conversation piece.   

[Parnell]

If it were mine I'd leave it.  I think it'd look plenty good.  How about a picture of it strung?

[RidgeRunner]

Sounds nutty but you can rub it down with clorox and put it out in the sun.   It will darken right up. 
It will also raise the grain.

David

[Dean Marlow]

O.K. here are some pictures of it out in the sun.

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[Bevan R.]

Nice looking bow. I would not mess with the colors. Let it darken naturally. I like it the way it is.

[Josh]

give it a couple of months and it will be waaaaay less noticeable... 

[George Tsoukalas]

That's a nice looking bow. I'd go natural too. Jawge

[Dean Marlow]

We will leave it like it is. When I get it completely done I will show the end results.

[gmc]

Dean its always a treat to see your work. Boiled lineseed oil in the sunlight will darken that limb (suntan with sun lotion). Very nice bow.
gmc

[Marc St Louis]

Bleach will darken the wood as well

[Timo]

Take the lighter colored limb and lay it in a sunny local during the day. Leave the dark one in the....dark. It'll catch up perty quick,If you let them age together, the lighter limb will never catch the other one.

[aznboi3644]

beautiful contrast...I would keep the character.  I havent seen many two tone osage bows like that.

[ricktrojanowski]

I've been told about the bleach method.  If it was mine I would leave it just like it is.  I like the different toned limbs.  It adds character.

[El Destructo]

If you must darken it...you can always use Red Devil Lye...that will darken it almost immediately...I would leave her alone...and let Her age naturally myself...but the Lye will work...just wear Gloves...and make sure that You neutralise it afterwards too...