A certain color

[Soft-hackle]

Hi all,
The question concerns dying materials with Picric Acid. Does anyone find the resulting color(s) useful? The stuff is difficult to get stateside, but our discussions on different colors made me think of this. I also thought maybe Davy had some opinions on it.

Thanks,
Mark

[AaronJasper]

Mark,

This is out of my realm for sure! How is your winter going? Will I see you at the show this weekend? Too bad it's going to be nice this weekend! I want to fish...

[Soft-hackle]

Hi Aaron,
Wish I could be, but will probably be cooped up inside. I need to get out my vise and do some tying. I have some new stuff to play with.

Mark

[Davyfly]

Mark,

I have not been able to obtain it here in the US.
it is indeed a worthwhile substance to dye materials with. you will get shades of yellowy/olive depending on the feather base shade you subject it too.

It is a chemical you also have to be careful with, as all acids are.

You can obtain very similar effects with onion skins, which was one of the ways in the past materials were dyed. In fact if you go way back you will find many materials were dyes with organic and plant matter, before the now modern dye products.

DW.

Davy

[Soft-hackle]

Hi Davy,
Thanks for your response. Have you ever tried Tumeric?
Here's a link someone posted in the Flymph Forum: http://cgi.ebay.ph/Picric-Acid-Satur...item20aa73ccf0

Don't know it would ship through customs.

Mark

[Davyfly]

Mark,

yes as a matter of interest l have, l messed up a kitchen work surface with that, talk about trying to remove a yellow stain.
I forgot to add that Picric is a very explosive substance if not look after right. It may well come under special licence.

Davy.