Bow finish question

[stickthrower]

Hey, I had a question about doing a finish on a bow.  I am wondering about doing a stain on it, but am wondering if a fruit juice type stain (from the fruit, not a juice can) would be a finish that would stay as long as I get a finish like tung oil over the top of it.

Has anybody done this?  I am thinking of using strawberries and blueberries for a contrast finish.  Any thoughts about that?

Thanks,

Nathan

[DarkSoul]

A fruit juice stain will probably work. Don't call it a finish though, it's a stain, not a finish. You need to apply a finish on top of the stain, for instance tung oil like you mentioned.
Most fruit stains are not colourfast at all. They will darken first, to a shade of brown probably. After that, they'll fade over time. Don't expect a longlasting red colour from the strawberries and a blue color from the blueberries. All will turn brown quickly.

[snag]

I have wondered about this as well. I thought if the coloring agent (berry juice) were sealed they wouldn't oxidize and change color?

[Weylin]

with a nice white wood you could make a Captain America bow!! 

[stickthrower]

Wow, okay, so I guess I won't be doing the strawberry and raspberry stain.  I guess I will just go with my original thought and do it that way then.  Thanks!

Nathan

[JW_Halverson]

Kool-Aid stains nicely!

 

[Hrothgar]

I wonder if anyone has tried beet juice as a stain, I've been planning to try this for awhile.  Tea also will make a decent stain.

[hedgeapple]

I read an article about making natural stains from different color leaves.  I haven't tried it yet but I plan to do so.  It might work with fruit.  I plan to try that also.  Anyhow here is the recipe:
3 parts water
1 part household ammonia
1/4 tsp of alum.
a couple good handfull of leaves
The author was mixing it in a gallon milk jug "with room to spare"
So my attempt will be:
3 pints of water
1 pint of ammonia
1/4 tsp of alum.
2 hands full of leaves or fruit.