What can i do to make these grips more pleasant to look at?

This is a Google pic as its the same exact color as mine and the same gun also.



What can i do to make them "Blackish" or alot darker as i don't like the light wood color or its orangeish tint.
I ordered some Ergo Polymer textured grips but not so sure how ill like them, But looks wise i do prefer them.

I guess its time to go too Home Depot and get some dark stain and sealer.
Im gonna skip Tru-Oil considering the time invested takes forever.

I know it sounded like a dumb question guys, But im broke after buying this gun and cant afford to waste money or buy new expensive grips like id want too.
I like Allumagrips also btw.

That is true about Tru-Oil i just remember the days it took to apply 10 coats to a benchrest stock i did, That was a long week.
That torch idea sounds good, I just need to get a nozzle if i can find one affordable as i have tanks.

The issue is they are way too lite colored, So im looking for a much darker finish.
I have time to fool with them once the new textured polymer grips i bought arrive. Im sure i wont like them as much as wood, But they will do the job so i can carry the gun while im working on them.

If i knew it would hold up to some abuse i wouldnt mind trying some of the textured Krylon rattle can stuff they have out now.
But i suppose i could try it and then hit it with some clear and hopefully it would be hard enough to not scratch up to much.
But i could sand them to a good rough state and use a black stain underneath it all and if i get a scratch it would just show black and not lite colored wood.

Thanks i appreciate the offer but i have a set of black textured polymer grips on the way from Fleabay.
I also went to Wal-Mart and bought some Minwax Polyshades in Bombay Mahogany Gloss and the grips have been sanded and have the initial soaking coat on.

This gun is a pure ccw beater i wont be modding or making pretty, I just want it easier on the eyes than that Lite color that the grips came with.

Again sophijo Thank you for the offer.

Then make the grips tough before you make them pretty.

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I spit on them, And called their momma a few choice words and slammed them on the floor prior to adding the new finish. That should toughen them up!

No really i came real close to buying "Truck bed liner spray" which ive used on other things and works well. And if this polycoat don't make me like them anymore ill put that on them.
I also noticed Krylon has a "Stone" textured spray paint which is like liquid grip tape. But i couldn't find it in black but i may look for that also.

I know i said beater, But im not gonna abuse the gun. Im just not going to invest money into it and fix it up like i did my other 1911. This was a low cost gun that works and thats how i want to leave it.

Plus i think the black textured polymer grips i bought will also fit the bill if needed.
Check em out they look pretty tough for the job at hand.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380287995837&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

How many cans of paint, hours of work, and half-right grips add up to the cost of alumagrips, anyway?

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If i were inept it could be alot.
Id rather invest in good holsters which i cant make well, But for grips i think ill be ok.

Very good point on Tandy's, I had a hard time as i didnt know there was a holster section here and people who made their own.
I may give that another shot this year as i know the IWB holster i need at $100 each.

I wanted to use sandpaper to try and thin the grips down a bit and also soften any lines as the recoil is a little stout in the 3.5" gun.
The grips dried over night and are done, Not as dark as i would like but look good imo.
A bit darker than most Cocobolo ive seen.

Ill post pics soon.

The slabs are done and with alot of light during the pics turned out really red, But in normal light like the last photo they are a dark Mohogany like the Polycoat color stated it was.
I added rubber textured grip tape on the front strap and i should have polymer textured black grips coming in the mail this week so i can choose which i like better.

Thanks, I dont like how the pics came out with the hard light on them as they look really red, But they are more of a darker brownish red the last photo shows.

They may not even stay on long and i may put the textured polymer black grips i ordered on instead, It never hurts to have options.