What chemicals are used for pysanky?

Traditional pysankarstvo does not require the use of many industrial chemicals. In earlier times, dyes were made from natural substances (plants and beetles), with perhaps a bit of alum to make them bind to the egg better. Vinegar was used to acidify the dyes so they would bind to the eggs, and perhaps to etch the eggs sometimes.

Pysanka makers today have many chemicals available to them to aid in their art. A partial list follows.

DyeingWhite vinegar (acetic acid) - Has several uses: 1) added to the dye to acidify it 2) used as a weak solution (one tablespoon of vinegar) to a cup of water to clean off eggs/acidify the shell 3) used full strength to etch eggs

Aniline Dyes (acid dyes) - most popular dyes for making pysanky, these are acid dyes used also for dyeing wool, silk and nylon fabrics.

Simple Green (Sunshine Makers Inc.) - Sprayed on full strength to remove dye - scrub lightly with a soft toothbrush

Bleach (sodium hypochlorite NaClO) - used in making white/bleached pysanky to remove dyes and return the egg to white final color

Wax RemovalNaptha (Sunnyside and others) - (1) use on a Q-tip or micro-applicator to remove wax when you make a mistake. This product melts the wax right off, so can only be used in a self-contained area. Use sparingly and only in emergencies. If you do not get off all the wax, you will end up with a blob. (2) Use to clean kistkas. First heat them and tap out most of the wax, then use an eyedropper to drop in some Naptha and let it run through onto a folded paper towel or napkin.

Mineral Spirits, Low Odor (Recochem Inc. and others) - (1) Use this to clean off the egg after you have removed the wax and before you varnish it. This product removes any trace of wax left on the egg and allows the varnish to adhere well. (2) To clean many kistkas at once, soak them in a small jar of mineral spirits (3) Dip a paintbrush in a small jar of mineral spirits and use it to wipe off MSA varnish drips. (4) Mineral Spirits are a solvent for MSA varnish, so if the varnishing process is flawed, soak the egg in a fresh container of mineral spirits to dissolve the varnish, and try again.

VarnishingMinwax Fast-drying Polyurethane, Clear Gloss - Good varnish, but does not have UVLS protection. Yellows over time (a very long time). Cannot be easily removed once applied.

DL Permatex Hand Cleaner - great to remove varnish from your fingers, although it is safer and cleaner to wear non-latex gloves.

Golden Hard MSA with UVLS - This is a specialty museum-grade varnish that costs $80 per gallon. It works best when you blow out the egg, then use a special egg dipper to dip it into the varnish. Let it drain off, them invert it and place it on a wire holder through the hole. This varnish is 100% removeable with mineral spirits, dries hard and clear and shiny, and provides UVLS protection.

EtchingThe Works Liquid Toilet Bowl Cleaner - (Lime-O-Sol Company). Use for etching - mix ½ and ½ with water. WHile etching is not technically a part of making pysanky, some artists like to combine the two forms of egg decoration CAUTION - this product is VERY CAUSTIC!