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How to Dye an Animal Skeleton

Animal bones are often used to make items such as knife handles and can be sculpted for use in art projects. If you have an entire animal skeleton or just a few bones, you may wish to dye them a specific color to make them look more unique. The process of dying the bones is fairly simple, but you need to take some time preparing the animal bones before you dye them the color of your choosing.

Things You'll Need

Fabric dye
Jars with lids
Rubber gloves
Sulphuric acid
Bleach
Large pot
Dish soap
Stiff brush
Newspaper

Instructions

- 1
  Put on rubber gloves. Remove any meat and gristle from the bones and clean them with soapy water and a stiff brush.
- 2
  Mix one part sulphuric acid with five parts water in the large pot. Heat the mixture to a boil and add the bones to the pot. Boil until the bones are no longer greasy on the surface. Then remove them from the pot, rinse them with water and dry them with a towel. Set the bones out to dry for several hours.
- 3
  Empty the pot and rinse it thoroughly. Mix one part bleach with five parts water in the same large pot. Add the bones to the mixture and soak them for several hours.
- 4
  Remove the bones from the pot and rinse them thoroughly with water. Then set them out to dry for several days.
- 5
  Mix the fabric dye with water based on the instructions on the label and soak the bones in the mixture. Remove a bone every 30 minutes to test the color until it is dark enough. Remove the bones when you are satisfied with the color.
- 6
  Set the bones on several layers of newspaper to dry. Allow several hours' drying time before handling the bones.

Animals & Science