Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: nclonghunter on January 27, 2012, 12:40:56 am

Title: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: nclonghunter on January 27, 2012, 12:40:56 am

If turkey barred feathers are already on the shaft, can they be dyed with koolaid by submerging them in koolaid. I would like to dye mine a yellow color. Any suggestions would be appreciated. They are on carbon shafts.

Title: Re: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: osage outlaw on January 27, 2012, 12:49:41 am

Since they are on carbons, I don't think it would hurt.  As long as the kool aid doesn't affect the glue holding them on.  I dyed some feathers in red kool aid water overnight.  It works suprisingly well.

Title: Re: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: bowtarist on January 27, 2012, 12:54:20 am

I hear some guys mix the koolaide w/ alcohol instead of water.

Title: Re: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: nclonghunter on January 27, 2012, 10:50:47 am

Thanks for the reply...I will give it a try

Title: Re: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: Youngboyer2(billyf) on January 31, 2012, 01:46:56 am

Sounds like an awesome idea, I think that I'll try it with some plain white fletching but will the sugar attract bugs?

Title: Re: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: Pat B on January 31, 2012, 06:21:50 pm

You used unsweetened Koolaid.

Title: Re: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: CraigMBeckett on February 01, 2012, 12:59:26 am

This whole thing sounds very strange to someone NOT from the USA. You have a substance that will permanantly colour feathers and you drink it!

Craig.

Title: Re: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: nclonghunter on February 01, 2012, 01:16:38 am

It's not bad unless you get a feather stuck in your throat... :o

Title: Re: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: Pat B on February 01, 2012, 12:33:57 pm

Craig, Koolaid is an inexpensive drink powder you mix with water. Different colors are supposed to be different flavors. Every kid in the US has had red or purple or green lips from drinking Koolaid.
I guess someone figured if it would stain kids lips, why not feathers!  ::)

Title: Re: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: osage outlaw on February 01, 2012, 12:54:51 pm

A pack of Cherry feather dye costs around $0.20  ;D

Title: Re: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: osage outlaw on February 01, 2012, 04:04:42 pm

Here is how my feathers turned out after soaking overnight in Cherry Koolaid and water.

(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/SDC14470.jpg)

Title: Re: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: bowtarist on February 01, 2012, 08:12:16 pm

Craig, yea, sounds pretty gross huh?  It is really.  you mix a pack of dye/flavor w/ about 4 cups sugar and a 3.8 liters of H2O.  Like I said, pretty gross huh?   What PatB said is true all the same.  dpgratz

Title: Re: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: Bevan R. on February 01, 2012, 08:14:28 pm

pretty good color double O 8)

Anybody know of a way to 'bleach' some dark feathers lighter?

Title: Re: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: osage outlaw on February 01, 2012, 08:24:29 pm

I tried using the same peroxide that I use to whiten skulls and it didn't do a thing to the feathers. 

Title: Re: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: CraigMBeckett on February 02, 2012, 08:22:36 am

Quote from: bowtarist on February 01, 2012, 08:12:16 pm

Craig, yea, sounds pretty gross huh?  It is really.  you mix a pack of dye/flavor w/ about 4 cups sugar and a 3.8 liters of H2O.  Like I said, pretty gross huh?   What PatB said is true all the same.  dpgratz

It does appear to be gross from my point of view, but then again I understand most of you folks in the U S of A find our vegemite or the British Marmite to be discusting.

Craig

Title: Re: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: Matt G. on February 03, 2012, 09:15:38 am

Bevan
I haven't found anything to lighten the feathers yet that hasnt eaten them. Break down the quill and barbs. I do have some goose feathers that are bleaching on the dash board from the sun but it takes a long time. Not an intentional experiment. Lol!

Title: Re: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: Bevan R. on February 03, 2012, 12:08:45 pm

Thanks Matt, I wonder if an outside 'Hot Box' would do the same thing?

Title: Re: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: bowtarist on February 03, 2012, 01:16:45 pm

Maybe hang some on the front of my welding jacket and see how that works.  >:D

Title: Re: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: Matt G. on February 03, 2012, 06:59:39 pm

If the hot box has direct sunlight it might work. Give it a whirl.

Title: Re: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: Youngboyer2(billyf) on February 07, 2012, 12:39:10 am

Alot of our bow making materials are actually edible, homade hide glue made from gelatin and old native American women used to chew on sinew, so why not coolaide.

Title: Re: Dying feathers in koolaid?
Post by: Lone500 on February 07, 2012, 02:59:41 am

kinda hard on the teeth and stomach to eat much wood  :o ;D