Color of the WPG bags

jaydoc1 · Post by **jaydoc1** » Wed Sep 18, 2002 10:39 pm

I just got my WPG bag and it's tan. Are everyone's WPG's tan?

IndyNorth · Post by **IndyNorth** » Wed Sep 18, 2002 11:22 pm

Tan???!!??:shock:

Yikes, I thought they were "Indy-bag-green". I've been achin' to buy me a WPG but definitely NOT if it's going to be tan...

Is it really tan...like the 'golden AN in the TAN van' (from sesame street...)?

north

Indiana Texas-girl · Post by **Indiana Texas-girl** » Wed Sep 18, 2002 11:59 pm

It's definitely not "Indy-bag-green". It's more of a tan.

Indiana Joe · Post by **Indiana Joe** » Thu Sep 19, 2002 7:00 am

I got my repro about six weeks ago and it's definitely greenish--certainly not tan. I wonder what's up with that?

Henri Defense · Post by **Henri Defense** » Thu Sep 19, 2002 8:37 am

It depends on the lighting for me. Sometimes it's more greenish sometimes it tannish. But basicly it's a cross...it's a wonderful bag I incourage you to still get one, if you really don't like the color, I'm sure you could just dye it..

Henri

Peacock's Eye · Post by **Peacock's Eye** » Thu Sep 19, 2002 10:15 am

My bag came in a tan or light khaki color. If I ever want to color it, I don't think I'll have a problem.

IndyNorth · Post by **IndyNorth** » Thu Sep 19, 2002 11:13 am

(Thanks ITG)

Hey Jay,

can you post a pic of your bag...?

north

Bogie1943 · Post by **Bogie1943** » Thu Sep 19, 2002 11:38 am

It really depends on the brand, some makers from Australia made thiers in a khaki color, others in green, depends on the maker.

Imahomer · Post by **Imahomer** » Fri Sep 20, 2002 1:51 am

I suppose it does depend on the maker, but I thought they were talking about the WPG bag.

jaydoc1 · Post by **jaydoc1** » Sat Sep 21, 2002 1:14 am

We are talking about the WPG bag and mine is tan. Not greenish-tan, not tannish green. Tan. Light tan actually. I was expecting Indy green. Yes it's a great bag. No it's not green.

So my question is (and it's probably already answered elsewhere). Can I dye it (well obviously I can). But what do I use to dye it and how colorfast are the dyes. I don't want green color getting on all my clothes.

And yes I'll try to get a picture posted.

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Sat Sep 21, 2002 11:56 am

jaydoc1 wrote:We are talking about the WPG bag and mine is tan. Not greenish-tan, not tannish green. Tan. Light tan actually. I was expecting Indy green. Yes it's a great bag. No it's not green.

So my question is (and it's probably already answered elsewhere). Can I dye it (well obviously I can). But what do I use to dye it and how colorfast are the dyes. I don't want green color getting on all my clothes.

And yes I'll try to get a picture posted.

Here you go! An oldy but goody post from last year. I actually forgot who originally posted this, so I am sorry for not acknowledging the pioneer work on this one. Post your results, JayDoc.

How to dye your bag?

I purchased the RIT Fabric Dye from my local grocery ($2.37) in a DARK GREEN color. I went back and forth whether or not to add some black or brown dye to it, but in the end just decided to try the Dark Green by itself (hoping that the already Tan color would provide the necessary darkening to OD Green (it did!). I did wash the bag twice, in a HOT water, warm rinse cycle (the second time WITHOUT any detergent). While the bag was still wet I put it into the dye solution (per directions on the box). I then let it sit and extra 30 min. (total of 1 hour). Then I washed it once on WARM, then twice on COLD rinse cycles. To let it dry I just put it out on my deck and let the sun do it's thing! I just followed the directions on the package and let the bag soak an extra 30 minutes and BAM! A beautiful looking MK-VII! I could not be happier! So don't be discouraged if you cannot find an OD Green bag out there (but you can find the tan ones). Get the Tan and try this little trick on your own. You will not regret it!

-Sergei

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Sat Sep 21, 2002 4:39 pm

All I can say is that if I ordered an Indy repro bag and it came in a Tan color, I'd be super pi$$ed! :evil:

Rick Blaine · Post by **Rick Blaine** » Sat Sep 21, 2002 5:34 pm

A lot of the bags in ROTLA were tan though? I love my replica WPG (Thanks RedFour)

Indiana Joe · Post by **Indiana Joe** » Sat Sep 21, 2002 8:00 pm

Sergei,

I may not need it now but I want to remember that one in case I need it for a future WPG bag.

Thanks!

jaydoc1 · Post by **jaydoc1** » Sat Sep 21, 2002 8:20 pm

Sergei,

Thanks for the reply. I'll have to go find some of that dye. Guess I'll take my chances on its colorfastness. The dying process (or rather all that time in the washer and dryer) ought to add to the break-in of the bag as well.

Jaydoc

Gorak · Post by **Gorak** » Sat Sep 21, 2002 8:46 pm

I have a WPG bag and the color is a very light green/tan. I think it looks EXACTRLY the same co0lor as the bag looks in Cairo, where you can see it in sunlight. I never recall seeing Indy`s bag in Raiders ever looking as green as some of the bags out there. It is probly just my opinion but the bag always looks muted and faded..never olive drab or green. I think the WPG bag is the perfect color in making the bag seem very screen accurate. Watch Raider (good excuse) and pay attention to the bag in the Cairo scenes.

jaydoc1 · Post by **jaydoc1** » Sun Sep 22, 2002 6:15 pm

If you look at the bag on the WPG website (or in Indygear's bag section) the color appears exactly as you would expect. A light olive drab. The bag I received, however, doesn't have a hint of olive to it. It's as tan as you can possibly get. I guess it really wouldn't matter except that I've passed up several Canadian Mark VII's because of the color and now I own a reproduction Canadian Mark VII. It's not even the real deal.

Jaydoc

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Mon Sep 23, 2002 12:01 am

The bags in Raiders always looked like a faded out green, never tan.

Illinois Troy · Post by **Illinois Troy** » Mon Sep 23, 2002 12:38 am

agreed on that point Agent5. I think the tan is just a modicum of Tunisian dust.

Illinois

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Mon Sep 23, 2002 1:01 am

Let me intervene. Since the supply of real MKVII's are diminishing, in my opinion we shouldn't be that picky on what color the bag is when it arrives into your collection. If it's pure tan, then the dying instructions I posted above have been verified to work with the tan bags out there to magically turn them into the olive drab we are striving for.

If the WPG bag is making you nuts on the color, try dying it. Man, there are so many battles to be fought out there, this seems to be a lot of wasted motion. I have to give Jerry at WPG a lot of credit. For the first version of this bag, he did a pretty decent job in my opinion....

Just my dos centavous...

-Sergei

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Mon Sep 23, 2002 1:14 am

It did look really good to me in the pics I saw, however I tend to think if you are going to do a repro it should be done absolutely correct the first time. Get all the monkeys out first and then sell them. The entire film is a reference for the correct color or darn close to it. Like I said, if someone says they have a repro Indy bag and I get one in a tan ( no green) color, I'd be very upset. I guess that's been my number one gripe with all the gear in general since I first came on board here, although it definitely looks to me as though things are on the right track nowadays. I wish more vendors would tackle the bags. The more choices for all of us the better. I will at least say thanks to WPG for taking the first step.

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Mon Sep 23, 2002 1:53 am

My real Mk VII is an olive green colour with a bit of tan wheres its faded the most. I personally think that the indy look calls more for the faded tan look from olive green then a pure olive green. Look at all the movies you'll see that the bag is always more of a tan colour, personnally I wouldn't be complaining.

morgan

Peacock's Eye · Post by **Peacock's Eye** » Mon Sep 23, 2002 9:19 am

I agree with morgan. My Banana Republic bag is olive drab, my WPG bag is tan/khaki. I like both for slightly differently reasons. Indy's bags do look more tan than green. The WPG bag is close enough for me, brother.

jaydoc1 · Post by **jaydoc1** » Mon Sep 23, 2002 9:55 pm

Ok, don't anyone get me wrong. I'm not complaining about the bag color (I've got a packet of dark green RIT dye sitting right next to me as I type this). I was just curious if the tan color of my bag is what everyone has gotten from WPG. The bag is great. It's put together well. I love the bag. I was just curious if it was being put together in more than one color.

Again let me say, "I'M NOT COMPLAINING!" Just curious.

INDIANA_7 · Post by **INDIANA_7** » Tue Sep 24, 2002 1:50 am

Hey,

You can also try green "blanko".It's a dye that comes in rock formation.All you have to do is break off a small piece and add water.Then you apply it with a brush.I picked some up at a WW1 reenactment and WPG was there selling some military gear, and had some of that blanko for sale.They told me that it is used to dye all military and regular canvas.I've used it on my indy bags with excellent results.The darker the green you want the bag,the more you brush on.It drys permanent over night.I think it's much better than the RIT dye,because you can control the amount of green shade you want alot easier.You can check their web site,I beleive they sell it on line.

Best regards,
INDIANA_7

jaydoc1 · Post by **jaydoc1** » Tue Sep 24, 2002 1:53 am

Ok, the dye job is done and a complete success. Not only did the process turn the bag a nice olive drab, but it got rid of the fresh off the assembly line look. I highly recommend the process for the WPG's.

The only problem (not really a problem) is that the raw edges on the inside of the bag frayed significantly during the multiple trips through the washer. A few snips with the scissors fixed that right up.

The bag looks so good I may have to get a couple more and do the same thing to them.

Now if my Keppler strap would ever get here I'd have that bag problem licked.

Jaydoc

jaydoc1 · Post by **jaydoc1** » Tue Sep 24, 2002 3:13 pm

One thing I forgot to add. Using only the RIT dark green dye, the tan bags will be a brilliant dark green. I would suggest either using RIT's color chart suggestion of dark green + tan for olive drab or using some of RIT's color remover after dyeing the bag using only the dark green.

Jaydoc

Indiana Joe · Post by **Indiana Joe** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 9:47 am

Okay. We're talking about the WPG bag color and mentioned dyeing. But what about washing the bag without dye? Has anyone just plain washed the thing? If so, what was your experience? Did it change the color or perhaps lighten it up?

Obviously, mine is dirty and I'm thinking of throwing it the washer but wanted to get some others' experience with any color changes (if any).

I.J.

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 11:35 am

I own a WPG bag and I think it's great.

I have a WPG bag and the color is a very light green/tan. I think it looks EXACTRLY the same color as the bag looks in Cairo

Well, I have to agree - many bags were used throughout the filming of the movies, and there is some colour variation, and also style variation, evidently.

It's all a matter of personal taste at the end of the day - if you don't like the WPG colour, just dye it.

I have to say, I think we are incredibly lucky to have a good replica available to us, whatever the colour, same thing applies to the jacket, belts, holsters or whatever - we have somewhat of an exclusive hobby and many other 'hobbyists' (spellcheck?) in other genres would be envious of the resources and materials availble to us gearheads.

I also recognise the viewpoint 'if you are going to do something, do it well', but from the vendors point of view, I guess you cant please all of the people all of the time. We all have our personal preferences, so we are able to 'customise' our pieces of kit to our own tastes and desires without much of a problem.

Just my point of view. My respects to you all,

Alan

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 11:52 am

I'd say go ahead and wash, but use a low temperature! I washed mine in 60 degress while dying it and it shrunk a bit hightwise. (All cotton bag.) I'm not sure how the colour will be affected though. Hopefully someone will chime in on that though I'm guessing not much will happen.

Comparison edit:

Regards,
Swindiana

Herr Doktor · Post by **Herr Doktor** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 10:54 pm

Knowing a little about WWII British webbing and gear from reenacting, I would say the best way to get the bag to a greenish appearance is using blanco. Most webbing was manufactured in khaki through the 50s, and it was up to the individual soldier to care for his gear, including applying blanco. I will say that I am not 100% certain without seeing an original bag, but I will guess that most bags were blanco'd, lending to their greenish color. I'd suggest applying blanco...then beating the #### out of the bag (tie it to your bumper and drive it around your neighborhood or the local grass field...if you can). I think it is a little easier than trying to mix dyes, running the washer, etc. If anyone needs instructions for applying blanco, let me know and I will post them.

My 2/100ths of a dollar...and what I intend to do to my bag if the color doesn't meet my tastes. Other's mileage may vary.

Best,

Chris

Lindiana · Post by **Lindiana** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 11:30 pm

Gotta say my WPG is more green than tan.
Lindy

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 2:49 am

Herr Doktor wrote:If anyone needs instructions for applying blanco, let me know and I will post them.

I'm kind of curious about this, so please do if you are reading this Chris. I'm not really sure what blanco is either.

Regards,
Swindy

Herr Doktor · Post by **Herr Doktor** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 7:14 am

Swindiana wrote:I'm kind of curious about this, so please do if you are reading this Chris. I'm not really sure what blanco is either.

Swindy,

Blanco was used for a couple of reasons. It was a camoflage of sorts (turns the khaki to green...blends better with the foliage, etc), and a preservative/protector for the webbing. Also gave the soldiers something to do. It was available as a powder, and is still available in "cake" form from Jerry at WPG (for like $3.00 I think). Anyhow...here's the instructions I have...and I have done it to my gear, but it can get messy if you're not careful.

-Find a nice place (outside if you want to keep your spouse or significant other happy) where you can lay out the webbing. A place that will not be damaged with water. A plastic tarp or drop cloth wouldn't hurt, either.

-Get a bowl and fill it with water.

-Find a stiff-bristled brush. I use what is sold commercially as a "nail brush" and it has plastic bristles about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inches long (that's 12-18mm for you folks in metric countries

).

-Wet down the bag, but do not soak or saturate it.

-Also dampen the Blanco cake. Don't get it too wet, though, or it will turn to mud. You want one surface of the block to be damp and soft.

-Rub the damp side of the blanco onto the piece of webbing, covering it with "Blanco mud".

-Then, take your brush and brush the blanco into the fabric of the webbing. Dampen the brush if necessary.

-Re-apply more blanco (muddy cake) and brush it in until completely and evenly covered.

-SPECIAL NOTE! Only blanco the outside of the webbing, do not blanco the parts that contact your uniform. For example, only blanco the outside surface of your belt, the inside surface needs no blanco! The part of the small pack that touches your back needs no blanco. The inside of the pack and the ammo pouches do not need blanco. (That is for the webbing set, not necessarily for the Indy bag. Do the entire bag, but just make sure you brush the bag off thoroughly, maybe even rub the back on an old t-shirt or something before using it.)

-Let the webbing dry completely. Re-apply to areas if needed (sometimes you see spots that you missed when the blanco has dried).

-After the bag has completely dried, brush it off with a stiff, dry brush to remove any excess blanco that has caked on. I would also suggest beating the #### out of the bag on the pavement for the same reason...in addition to brushing it off. You know...distress it.

-You will need to repeat the entire process after some time, as the blanco wears off and fades out. (Skip this step for your Indy bag, however...unless it gets really bad.)

Hope this helps.

Best,

Chris

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 11:03 am

Interesting stuff, and a bit of history in there too!
Thanks Chris, I'll try that!

Regards,
Swindy

JerseyJones · Post by **JerseyJones** » Mon Nov 17, 2003 11:38 pm

My WPG literally changed color green to tan once the sunlight hit.

I like it !

My POV, Indy used his stuff as he got it as long as it worked, so good enough for me. I'll just have to go fight the HOvitos to get it all greened up !

Ken