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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.
Picture
Sunshine
2GO
Picture
Gold Ochre
4GO
Picture
Aztec Gold
4AG
Picture
Sweet Potato
3GO  1/2 R  1/2 B
Picture
Coffee
2B
Picture
Brown
4B
Picture
Buckskin
3AG 1B
Picture
Boot Leather
3AG 1C
Picture
Walnut
3B 1C
Picture
Chocolate
2B 2C
Picture
Oxblood
3C 1B
Picture
Red Wine  (Jacquard's
"Chestnut")  4C
Picture
Brick
3B 1R
Picture
Russet
4R
Picture
Sunset
3AG  1R

Picture






Custom skin-on-frame kayaks and canoes offered as plans, kits, and video courses.





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