Choosing a Color

Adding color to your skin on frame boat

We use acid dye to color our skin-on-frame boats. The advantage to acid dye is that it creates vibrant, saturated colors. The disadvantage is that it is not compatible with all cloths, and that the natural yellowing of the polyurethane tends to change the darker colors over time. For this reason, we recommend warmer earth-tones that will be complimented by the aging process. Lighter colors are more colorfast and darker colors age more roughly. In our opinion, the aging process of darker colors looks great on Greenland kayaks, creating an authentic 'sealskin' look.

The following chart shows the custom colors mixes we have for sale in our store. For those wishing to mix their own colors, we have included the recipe of the Jacquard Acid Dyes we use to make these colors. To apply, mix no more than 4 level teaspoons of dye into a boiling mixture of 5 cups water and 2 cups of white vinegar and rapidly paint onto the skin, working from the bottom up with a foam brush. Do not over-apply and immediately wipe off the excess with a dry towel. We recommend that people building large canoes or double kayaks purchase two dye packs. Do not use on polyester or the "Primo" nylon sold by skinboats.org. For a more detailed discussion of various methods of coloring a skin boat, check out the video at the bottom of this page.

Color mix key: All numbers represent level teaspoons.
Abbreviations of Jacquard Acid Dye Colors: GO= Gold ochre AG=Aztec gold B=Brown C=Chestnut R=Russet

Note: The colors below are photographs of the actual color mix on nylon coated with polyurethane, but due to variation in monitor color displays or application technique, we cannot guarantee accuracy.