|
|
Post by leatherstocking on May 3, 2015 11:46:15 GMT -7
What can I do to lighten the color of my "golden" elk frock coat to make it more "tan"?  |
|
|
|
Post by Dan'l Hickham on May 3, 2015 12:13:57 GMT -7
Wear it - ALOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by leatherstocking on May 3, 2015 14:31:11 GMT -7
Dan'l.....................now I feel silly for asking!  |
|
|
|
Post by Badger on May 3, 2015 20:52:03 GMT -7
You can put it in your washing machine with RIT DYE REMOVER. Keep resetting the machine to wash, never letting it drain for several cycles. It will remove most of the dye leaving the hide sort of grayish tan. Obviously, the longer you leave it, the more color will be removed. Watch it and take it out when you like the result.
|
|
|
|
Post by leatherstocking on May 4, 2015 16:10:00 GMT -7
Badger
Thanks...that's what i did before but didn't run it through multiple cycles.....I'll try it again.
|
|
|
|
Post by blackhand on May 6, 2015 7:34:57 GMT -7
I used household bleach in water to turn one of those commercial-tan orange elk skins to a light tan. Should work for you. The hide was then turned into winter moccasins which are still going strong after 10+ years.
|
|
|
|
Post by Badger on May 6, 2015 11:57:00 GMT -7
What is your bleach to water ratio and how did you do it ? Did it smell like bleach after?
|
|
|
|
Post by blackhand on May 7, 2015 13:38:21 GMT -7
Can't give you exact ratio, but you could smell the bleach and the liquid felt "greasy" (guessing a couple of cups in a 5 gallon bucket).
Made up the bleach solution in cool tap-water, added the wet skin and let it soak several hours (to overnight) with occasional agitation. Rinsed well with water and repeated the bleach/rinses until the skin was decolorized (new bleach water each time). After rinsing with water multiple times, I let the hide dry then softened it by wringing/twisting. No noticeable bleach smell after rinsing and drying.
|
|
