Dye Formula Assitance! Im Experimenting and need YOUR Help!

[USAnarchy]

Alright guys,

I have been messing around with different methods of dyeing discs.

Mainly, different formulas for making dye. I have always used RIT, but I know something better is out there.

Here is my request. Please list just the dye formula that you use, and if you have a pic of multiple colors, please provide as well so I can see the brightness of your dye.

If you boil your disc in the dye, please let me know you boil the disc.

If you just boil the dye, please let me know you just boil the dye.

If you apply cold or at room temp, then let me know.

If you bake the disc after you apply the dye, then let me know.

Just be as specific to your process for making the dye and then applying it as you can.

I have just ordered a good bit of different types of commercial dyes to test out, but i want to do a very unbiased experiment here and make several (read: 20+ different dye formulas) and then test them out and compare and contrast the results.

Seeing as I am making this a semi-group method, I will post the best dye formula that I have found.

Any and all help you can give would be appreciated.

LBS

[ChUcK]

DONT BOIL THE DYE!!!!

at least not while a disc is in there. If you are really concerned, buy a crappy meat thermometer and \keep the dyebath at ~120 degrees F.

For dip dyes I use a package of rit to a quart of water, but that is unnecessarily strong. 1/2 the dye will still work, I just don't have any good way to store the partially used rit bag.

For painting I add 1/2 rit bag to maybe a 1/2 cup of laundry soap.

Jacquard has some nice acid dyes, but you need to add salt or alum to it for mordant capability.

[pointdisc]

My technique:

1) Add packet of rit to 2-3" of water in the bottom of a pan (about 1-1.5 quarts)
2) Boil dye
3) Let sit until I can comfortably put my hands on the side of the pot w/o buring them
4) Float upside for about 20-25 minutes.

The dye is warm, but not hot when I do it & I've gotten great results with every color* including the custom colors. My dyes can be found here(I know, I've got to get some more done...)


*dark green disaster not withstanding.

[ChUcK]

Someone really needs to tell Rit to stop making that dark green color, or at least rename it to Diarrhea.

[USAnarchy]

Thanks for the input everyone, I still need more variations on formulas so that I can try them all and see what i can steal/use with different formulas to try and create a super dye of sorts.

I got a package of commercial dyes in last week, but the results are not what i was hoping for. This is part of why i want to get input from others as to what they know works, and as with everything, there are a few of you that are tweaking your dye formula, but haven't really shared about it.

[eky8]

For dip dyes I use a package of rit to a quart of water, but that is unnecessarily strong. 1/2 the dye will still work, I just don't have any good way to store the partially used rit bag.

I Use the same recipe as ChUcK. heat the dye until warm and dip. Haven't tried painting. But will be trying it soon.

[pointdisc]

I got a package of commercial dyes in last week, but the results are not what i was hoping for.

So, is it the recipe or the dye in this case?

[USAnarchy]

The dye

[USAnarchy]

Okay, despite the lack of variety of dye formulas, i have managed to piece together a few things.

I figured out how to get a dye (using RIT) that starts to set in almost instantly. Im talking less than 5 seconds and you have dyed the disc, however lightly, but still very noticable. rubbing immediately with acetone will take it off, however water and soap did not.

This could come in handy for gradients as opposed to using the RIT and Acetone method of brushing on your gradients or having to mix different shades of a color.

As far as the commercial dye i ordered, after spending some time researching the topic, and talking to various dye companies, several people directed me to use a Washfast Acid Dye. These do not work.

RIT is a mixture of a Washfast Acid Dye and a Leveling Dye. It appears that I will need to order some leveling dyes to test.

I could continue to use RIT, but if a leveling dye will adhere better, deeper, and with stronger/brighter colors, then im going that direction.

However, the batch of black i did 5 days ago made the darkest black i have ever seen that was painted on a disc. Im talking room temperature dye. None of that boiling water, add dye and then have fun. This is straight up spin and paint goodness.

Anyways, back to the lab to do some more mixing, matching and experimenting

**UPDATE** I just washed a disc that had sat for 5 days. Dye was a commerical dye that my friend uses for his Tie-Dye business. The dye did not take.

[ChUcK]

I think we should all get into the habit of calling it a formula. Recipes are for sissies.

Maybe I'll start calling my dye "Da Mix-cha"

[USAnarchy]

I think we should all get into the habit of calling it a formula. Recipes are for sissies.

Maybe I'll start calling my dye "Da Mix-cha"

Where did i use the word recipe?

[eky8]

Where did i use the word recipe?

I used it I agree though. Formula sounds much better