So I read about people using Kool-Aid to dye turkey feathers with good results. Being that is cheap to buy I figured why not give it a shot. Here is the finished product.

They look great how'd you do it. JF

Looks good

I searched around on the net and found a couple different ways. I used this method.

1st: Wash your feathers in some hot soapy water. Let them soak for a few minutes. 2nd: Take them out and rinse with warm water. 3rd: Put a pot of water on the stove. Let the water get hot and add the Kool-Aid. You will also need to add some vinegar to the pot as well. From what I read the vinegar makes the food dye permanent. Add a few table spoons. Stir it up and drop in those feathers. It doesn't take long for the feathers to take the color. It took maybe 10 minutes. 4th: Take the feathers out when the color is where you want it. Put them on a paper towel and let them dry.

I used orange and lemon Kool-Aid. I read that the feathers get darker after you take them out of the water and believe me they do. Sorry I didn't take pictures of the process but with my little one I was lucky to get them finished. I am sure there are other ways but this was cheap and easy.

Nice job.

Those turned out great!

Very nice! How do they hold up in water?

The feathers held up fine in the water. Time will tell how long the color holds. I read where a guy said his had held up for over 5 years without any color loss.

I want tie dye. Arvin

So Kool! They look super.

They Look great- that's how I do them too.

Hey kool man, I've got a ton of wild turkey feathers stykss split and ground for me. I think some need some color. Thank for telling how to. JF

Those look fantastic! Process sounds very easy and inexpensive too! Thanks for sharing

I have been using this method, both with Kool Aid and RIT Dye, for years. I especially like the deep reds and blues I get

Sweet if you lose a feather can you put it in cup and drink the cool aid?

Looks great though.LOL

Looks good. Jawge

up top.

Nice

Great job and both the orange and yellow look fantastic.

Thanks guys.

Does the koolaid dye effect the gluing to the shaft?

The dye does not affect glue adhesion at all.

Look great! Here's some I did today with lemon/lime kool aid

I dig them!!!

Good looking fletchings buddy! I use KoolAid too with the same ingredients but I heat them 2 minutes in the microwave, let them sit a minute, and then two minutes more. The only problem I found was the bottom of the quill got a slight color buildup which affected fletching tape adhesion. When I put them in my Bitz jig I just ran sandpaper across them a few times to remove the color on the mating surface and never had another problem...

I lightly sand the quill as well before glue up , makes tape or glue stick better.

Nice feathers guys going to give it a try.

Kool !!!

Good job will be trying this.

Ok I tried it and I liked it!

Green!I'm not surprised papadoc. Looks good. I want orange. JF

Why do they match.

Looks good from here.UP thumb.LOL

That's a great match Dave. Better put some brite crown color on it. When they go through that big buck you won't be able to find your arrow looks great.JF

How many packets of Kool Aid to how much water?

I just used one packet per color. I added enough water so the feathers were submerged really well. I probably used half a pot.

HEY KOOL AID. This my favorite color. I just cooked these. Smelled like I was in Florida ;) 3 packs orange kool aid 30oz water boiling and half cup clear vinegar. Hold um under for 20 min. Then rinsed in cold water and now lay them out on the beach overnight ;) JF

oops a couple thirsty ones still in the pool, sunkin feathers. That's when you no there done they don't float anymore;) JF

Outstanding! I gotta try this!!!!!!

Will this method work on full length white feathers?

Try it:) kool aid is cheap :) JF

Very sharp looking arrows. Nicely done.

Great dye job! Thanks for the how-to tips.

Those look great.

One of the reasons I like the wild turkey fletch is the natural water repellent that is in them right off the bird. Does all this washing/heating up the feathers make them a lot less water repellent and break down the natural oils in the feather? Just curious as I really like the yellow!!!!

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