Dye removing project.

[cudgee]

Started this project 4 weeks ago today as an experiment to remove dye from bone. Will post 3 photos, one is 4 weeks ago, 2 is 2 weeks ago, and 3 is today.

[Rdubya21]

Looks like it’s working . I didn’t know that could be done . What is the solution it’s soaking in ?

[Ripster]

Wasn’t aware you could do that either. And also wonder about the solution?
Will you do anything with it once done ,like wax or polish ?
Hope you’re doing well over there ?

[cudgee]

Looks like it’s working . I didn’t know that could be done . What is the solution it’s soaking in ?

Thanks for your enquiry, i have done some research online, but information is limited, but i managed to track down a woman who does it professionally and she was a great help. The solution is 9% Hydrogen Peroxide.

[cudgee]

Wasn’t aware you could do that either. And also wonder about the solution?
Will you do anything with it once done ,like wax or polish ?
Hope you’re doing well over there ?

All good here my friend. It is soaking in 9% Hydrogen Peroxide. I want to see how close i can get back to natural/white bone, then going to re dye it. Just an experiment i wanted to do, to see if it can be done.

[Ripster]

Looks like it’s working . I didn’t know that could be done . What is the solution it’s soaking in ?

Thanks for your enquiry, i have done some research online, but information is limited, but i managed to track down a woman who does it professionally and she was a great help. The solution is 9% Hydrogen Peroxide.

Well that’s cool . Thanks for sharing the result of your project .

[C-WADE7]

Thanks for sharing the info. Any noticeable change to the metal, and does that have any brass on it anywhere?

[cudgee]

Thanks for sharing the info. Any noticeable change to the metal, and does that have any brass on it anywhere?

That is part of the experiment mate, i don't expect any change to the stainless steel, but want to see the affect on the brass pins over time. I did a similar experiment not long ago with a knife, but only over 2 weeks, i was worried about the affect on the pins and liners. I removed some of the dye, but will go back and have another go after seeing the affect on this. Hope that explains it for you.

I am also doing this for fellow AAPK's, there is not much out there about this, so when i have finished, anyone can ask me how it went for maybe their future projects on re colouring bone scales.

[cudgee]

Thanks for sharing the info. Any noticeable change to the metal, and does that have any brass on it anywhere?

These are some pics of my first attempt, there was not noticeable affect to the metal. And has brass liners and pins.

[texoma]

interesting, 9% Hydrogen Peroxide, can't wait to see the final results

[Meridian_Mike]

Very interesting experiment!

I have my popcorn and a good seat. I can't wait to see how this movie ends!

[rea1eye]

9% is a fairly strong oxidizing agent. I too do not know what it will
do to the various metals in a knife. Dying your own bone sounds
interesting.

Let us know the results with pics!

Bob

[Jeffinn]

I’ve used hydrogen peroxide to remove the stains and discoloration from the white section of stag before. It works well for that. I’m interested in seeing if long term exposure to hydrogen peroxide has any affect on the metal components.
Cool experiment!
We’re all looking forward to the end result.
Jeff

[cudgee]

9% is a fairly strong oxidizing agent. I too do not know what it will
do to the various metals in a knife. Dying your own bone sounds
interesting.

Let us know the results with pics!

Bob

Yes i agree 9% is a strong solution, but i want to have it in the solution for the shortest amount of time, and did some prior experimenting with 3%, it was going to have to sit in the solution a lot longer, i felt that may have had more affect on any metal.

[Bill DeShivs]

Hydrogen peroxide is both a bleach and an oxidizer. It can rust steel.

[cudgee]

I started this experiment 2 months ago and quite a few of you were keen to see how it turned out. I was more than happy with what i achieved, but i made one mistake, but that was the whole point of the exercise, to learn, both for myself and any member who may want to go down this path in the future. I left the project in the solution for 8 weeks, was originally going to be 6, but as the solution was still active decided to leave it for another 2 weeks. In a way i'm glad i did, and also bit mad at myself for going outside my original plan, well respected knife restorer Bill pointed out in the last post that this could be an issue and he was correct. If i had have stuck to my original plan this my not have been as issue. The brass pins oxidised and a light mint green tinge leeched into the bone, so instead of it being natural bone colour, it has a mint green tinge through it. But i did achieve what i set out to do, seeing if i could remove dye from bone, it can be done, getting the timing right is the thing. Maybe even doing it in stages may work, so the pins don't oxidise, i have another knife nick opener, so will have another try. Was thinking of soaking this i a mineral oil bath to see if the oxidisation would leech out, but as i am going to have a go at re-dying the bone, don't know if that would affect the bone taking up the dye. So i'm going to leave it for the moment to see what happens as it dries out. Would welcome any in put or comments, i am always wanting to learn new things.

Start of project.

You can see the dye has been removed, but you can also see the light mint tinge.

Photo in shade, this is what i was hoping to acive.

Side by side with one i have in original colour, you can see that it does work.

[C-WADE7]

Thanks for the update, very interesting!

[cudgee]

Very interesting experiment!

I have my popcorn and a good seat. I can't wait to see how this movie ends!

Hope you didn't run out of popcorn, hope you like the end of the movie.

[rustyoldknife]

Very interesting experiment!

I have my popcorn and a good seat. I can't wait to see how this movie ends!

Hope you didn't run out of popcorn, hope you like the end of the movie.

Thanks for the update

[Jeffinn]

That worked really well! Ill have to keep that process in mind for future projects.
Thanks for doing this and keeping us updated!
Jeff

[Rdubya21]

Any progress on the re - dye ?

[cudgee]

Any progress on the re - dye ?

Not yet mate. With Christmas and being busy myself, have not worked out which path i want to take yet. Another issue is getting what i need when i decide, a lot of things are hard to get here at the moment because of issues with the supply chain, i have a friend who has a car repair and spray painting business who will have to shut in the new year, can't get supplies, and looks like it may be months before he can get them. But i will keep you informed when i make a decision. Have a Merry and Safe Christmas whatever you have planned.

[cudgee]

Any progress on the re - dye ?

Thought you may be interested in the finished product. Considering my lack of experience and materials and space, was very happy with the result. Was trying to get a dark olive colour which i achieved, but only on one side. The knife came from the factory with different coloured scales, which made it almost impossible to get an even dye job, especially at my first attempt. But still happy with the result, is a lot better than the original scales, especially after sanding them down a bit.

This is the side with the lighter dye job from the factory after i removed as much as i could.

This is after my attempt at re-dyeing them. Better but not what i was after.

This is the side that worked out really well, this is after removing the original dye.

This is the finished product. Very happy with this, nearly exactly the colour i was trying to achieve.

[Nev52]

That looks great Cudgee Very educational post.

Nev

[cudgee]

That looks great Cudgee Very educational post.

Nev

Thanks mate, was a very interesting and educational project. Have a good weekend.

Here is a photo from this week after i let it dry for 2 weeks, applied 3 coats of renwax.