Staining "ivory" urethane grips

[W.T.]

Howdy - Got a pair of Gripmaker's "Mexican Eagles" that I'm getting ready to final-fit and I'm starting to think about staining them to get a slightly-yellowed "old ivory" color.  The instructions say to go with diluted alcoho-based stains, but I have heard that some pards have used other, less conventionl methods like soaking in tea.

Anyone tried this?  I have Larry's "practice" grip, and I'm going to cut it into a few big pieces to try out some alternate stain methods and media.  Would also like to hear about how you fellers have sealed your stained grips.

Gracias,
WT

[Long Johns Wolf]

At Larry's advice and after 2 component PU varnish could no longer be had over here, I am using Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil. It will fill those little pores in the surface and seal it at the same time which is important for the cleaning of the gun after a BP session on the range. And the grips are getting this "aged" ivory look. You apply a thin layer with a q-tip and let it dry for a day. If the resulting shade is to your liking leave it as it is. If you want it darker apply another layer of the coat, and so on. I usually apply 2 layers.
This is actually a wood gunstock coating that dries to a hard slightly gold surface. Used that for the last 3 or four grips I did and am very happy with the stuff. Very easy to work with compared to the varnish.
Long Johns Wolf

[Marshal Will Wingam]

They'll yellow with age. I'm sure if you put them in the sun, they'd age faster. Here are two pics of mine (Larry's grips, of course), one when new and a second two years later.

[Marshal Deadwood]

Hey Will,,,them look GOOD !

Now, what material and do you have a direct link to 'Gripmaker' products ? If I may ask ?  Would like to have a set on my '58 Rem.

Thats looks really natural,,,

Marshal Deadwood

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks, pard. Here ya go.

http://www.gripmaker.com/

[Major 2]

So you don't think I'm completely nuts I tried this on some white polyurethane sentra scraps

dang it works !

I took a 1 qt. can and poked three holes so I could wire the poly (grips) up inside, set it on an alum. ashtray with four stolen 100 mm lit
Cigarettes ... and just left it to smolder ... holes for the wire allows some updraught....
it is definitely yellower....and does not rub off     more Cig's probable yellower yet !




heck ...it works on teeth 

[W.T.]

Ok, tried that, but my 72 OT developed a hacking cough...

Actually a solid idea.  Tobacco stains on porous material are very persistent.  Guess my grips will match my teeth

[Major 2]

that's OK,  hacking ....

just so it does not choke on the holy black ....

[Long Johns Wolf]

Major: have you sealed the grips after the staining process in some way? How do you clean them after a day in the field from all the oily powder residues?
Long Johns Wolf

[Major 2]

Wolf.... I've just used Johnson's paste floor wax...