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Weathering canvas

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peskydonut
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Weathering canvas

Post by peskydonut »

I really love the warmer green of the Haveson M-1943C, so when I received two CanvaSoft Olive Green straps from Blue Shark, which were a bit darker, I decided to experiment.

Initially, I considered using peroxide to strip some of the color then dye the straps using black tea or coffee. This seemed very involved. Instead, I decided to let the sun do the work. I put the straps on a piece of double-sided tape, so they won't blow away, and left them on the balcony.

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Left: This strap spent a week in the sun.
Right: This strap spent its time in the watch box; this is the original color.

(Please excuse the ash that is raining down on Colorado right now.)

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While the color shift is pretty subtle, I'm rather pleased with the result. I think I'll give it a few more days and see what that does.
Last edited by peskydonut on Sun Sep 06, 2020 8:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Weathering canvas

Post by Boourns »

I think there's a thread somewhere on here about weathering one of those cheap Ali Express canvas straps, but I can't find it now. I think it involved water and abrasion. Interested to see how this turns out.
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Re: Weathering canvas

Post by quincas »

That's a very interesting experiment.

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Re: Weathering canvas

Post by Boourns »

Found it. Just a post: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=138&p=30030&hilit= ... ush#p30247

Comparing techniques will be interesting.
I wish that watch were 38mm?
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Re: Weathering canvas

Post by peskydonut »

Boourns wrote: Sun Sep 06, 2020 9:11 pm Found it. Just a post: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=138&p=30030&hilit= ... ush#p30247

Comparing techniques will be interesting.
Thanks for that. Somehow I never encountered this thread, even though I'm clearly going through a canvas phase. I'm on the fence about distressing the strap. For now I'm just going to let it cook in the sun.
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Re: Weathering canvas

Post by peskydonut »

Another day of sun bleaching, for a total of 8 straight days of direct sunlight with temperatures topping out at ~100°F.

If I leave it longer, I have a feeling it'll start turning greenish-khaki color.

Overall, I'm pleased with the experiment, but I wish I could add a warmer hue. I may attempt dyeing it with some reddish/orange tea and will post results if I do.

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Re: Weathering canvas

Post by peskydonut »

Ok. So I did it.

I generally followed these instructions except where I got impatient and used a hairdryer on the coldest setting rather than letting the straps dry outside for a week. I also haven't done the final wash yet, so the straps still reek of hibiscus and white vinegar.

First I rinsed the straps in some water to clear off the grime from them sitting outside for a week.
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I then brewed a single mason jar with 1 hibiscus and 1 earl grey teabag. I let it steep for 15mins.
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The mixture was a deep red, bordering on brown. (Darker than the photo implies)
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The straps soaked in this mixture for an hour. (Again the photo makes it look lighter than it actually was.)
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Next, without rinsing, I put the straps in a solution of water and distilled vinegar to let the color set for 15mins. 2 portions of vinegar to 1 of water.
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After that, a rinse in cool water and a dab-dry with a paper towel.
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I got impatient and instead of letting them air dry, I used a hairdryer on the coolest setting.
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At this point it's 9pm and the lighting is crap, but the result looks pretty promising. They definitely have a warmer tone than the original color, which is exactly what I was after.

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Next is a thorough soap wash to get rid of the smell and another drying.
Last edited by peskydonut on Mon Sep 07, 2020 9:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Weathering canvas

Post by Boourns »

This looks good! I like this process because you've got a very uniform effect. Worst case, hibiscus isn't the worst smell so you've got a nicely scented strap.
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Re: Weathering canvas

Post by quincas »

I would think that the "smell" refers to the vinegar?

Wear that and people will think that you came out of a sauna 3 days ago and not showered since... Lol
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Re: Weathering canvas

Post by quincas »


peskydonut wrote:Ok. So I did it.

......

Next is a thorough soap wash to get rid of the smell and another drying.
Wrist shots are in order!


Thanks for sharing the process with great detail!

Definitely something that I will try!
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Re: Weathering canvas

Post by peskydonut »

quincas wrote: Tue Sep 08, 2020 1:42 am I would think that the "smell" refers to the vinegar?

Wear that and people will think that you came out of a sauna 3 days ago and not showered since... Lol
Haha. Yes, the smell was definitely in reference to the vinegar/hibiscus strap scent. Thankfully, and despite life's best attempts, I've been able to keep up on personal hygiene.
Last edited by peskydonut on Tue Sep 08, 2020 2:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Weathering canvas

Post by watchpalooza »

Well this is very cool. Thank you for sharing the process and results.
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Re: Weathering canvas

Post by peskydonut »

[mention]quincas[/mention], [mention]watchpalooza[/mention] No problem! Happy to have something to contribute.

In natural light the results look quite different from last night. It is though a pretty dreary day and I'm wearing all grey.

Depending on the lighting it looks either grey, khaki, or faded green. While it's not the exact look I was going for, this has been a fun experiment for sure. It definitely looks more faded than the original green.

I also haven't washed it with soap yet, which I think will strip some of the color.

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Re: Weathering canvas

Post by cortman »

A week of wearing in the sun out in the badlands and getting showered and soaped every night weathered this Haveston very nicely imo.



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Re: Weathering canvas

Post by peskydonut »

cortman wrote:A week of wearing in the sun out in the badlands and getting showered and soaped every night weathered this Haveston very nicely imo.



Looks great! And you got to camp in the badlands.
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