Aging Bonded Ivory
- Thread starter luis
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diamonback68
US Veteran
I've heard of people soaking them in strong tea, but not sure it will work on your particular grip composition.
firearmsunlimited
Member
I broached that question with several people including one museum curator and one custom grip/stock maker. Although they both strictly discourage it, because it is unknown what the long term effects can be, they said you can age ivory with tea or by ultraviolet light. Using tea will only tint the surface and if scratched the natural color will show through. I decided to let nature take it course. Good luck.
HAWKEYE10
Member
I would leave it alone. They look too good to mess up. DonI would be very careful with tea, it is quite acidic. Ship modelers used to soak rigging thread in tea to age it but found that the thread disintegrated over time due to the tea. If it soaked into the grips I would not want it against the metal parts of the gun.
29aholic
Member
I have done it by soaking them in brewing coffee with no ill affects. It takes a while but if you are patient it will give a mild aging to your grips.
firearmsunlimited
Member
biglar
Member
I had a few sets of ivory 1911 grips, and one set was rather plain. I tried soaking them in tea and coffee. They now have a little bit of color, and cracks on the ends that look like checking wood end grain gets when it drys. I will say they do look older
If I were to do it again, I would rub it in over time with a warm damp rag.
If I were to do it again, I would rub it in over time with a warm damp rag.
MakeMyNight
Member
This past summer, I added a pair of Ivory bonded stocks to My 686-1 along with a forged & flash chromed TT & TH. (MakeMyNight is sporting an ear to ear grin)
The Highlander
Member
Purty gun sir!
I've got a similar pair on a 19 2 1/2" that belongs to my daughter. Beautiful on blue, and they look good on shiny guns too I see.
I've got a similar pair on a 19 2 1/2" that belongs to my daughter. Beautiful on blue, and they look good on shiny guns too I see.
batmann
Member
I have soaked some Ivory polymer in tea and it did add a bit of color, but has been noted, it isn't uniform and if scratched, will show the original color. One other thing to note, IF they have medalions and they are painted (like Ruger SA's), the tea will take the paint off.
Steve_NEPhila
Member
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I do not see the point of trying to fake age a fake ivory set of grips. In short, you are trying to make a fake. Why? Spend more time and money on ammo, shooting and training and it will do more then a cosmetic change.
AKsRule
Member
The only reason I wanted to age the grips so they would not look so new compaired to my old workhorse M60. After many years I am going to start carrying it again, just got Dept approval.
stantheman86
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Sweat, leather and handling should do it pretty well
