Rit Dye Nightmare

[The Kryptonite Kid]

Hey Gang, I have tried to use scarlet red Rit dye to dye a white CTVT suit red
with dissapointing results. The suit dyed, but it is a dull red, almost pinkish. I just wanted to know if I'm doing something wrong or if some of you have had similar problems. Here is what i did...Added full pack of scarlet rit dye, and some sea salt to a 9" deep pot filled with simmering hot water, added jacket and constantly stirred for about 20 minutes. When it was the red i wanted i took it out and let it air dry. It was a nice brilliant red, but when it wa done drying it was the dull pinkish color. I tried dyeing the garment twice, both times i was dissapointed with the results. Can someone please offer me a solution to this problem? I also saw some spray on red dye at Michael's, has anyone used that with successful results? Any and all help appreciated, thanks Guys.
-Will

[Merlyn1976]

Neither CTVT or Doc clothing holds dye well...it's not the material itself...the best luck I've had was running it through a batch of the rit color remover then washing it in some woolite and then dyeing but the results are still a bit mixed and not always the best...

[grayhank]

I use the RIT dye method quite a bit. Just fill a container with hot water and add the dye and mix. Don't use the salt because you don't need it. Put in the jacket and find something you can weigh it down with. Let it soak overnight. I sometimes use those empty prescription bottles, fill it up, add the jacket and close tight. Give it some good shakes every so often (provided the prescription cap is on tight enough) and let sit overnight. These clothes will dye, you just have to be really patient.

Scarlet Red is also very dark so if you are looking for a brighter shade, try adding a little bit of yellow, but not too much where it turns Orange. Also the bottled RIT dyes seem to work a little better than the powdered crystal packs.

[jessica]

Good to know this. I never dealt with dye before--too scared to try. Usually just sewing it from scratch with material that is the perfect color is easier.

[The Kryptonite Kid]

I use the RIT dye method quite a bit. Just fill a container with hot water and add the dye and mix. Don't use the salt because you don't need it. Put in the jacket and find something you can weigh it down with. Let it soak overnight. I sometimes use those empty prescription bottles, fill it up, add the jacket and close tight. Give it some good shakes every so often (provided the prescription cap is on tight enough) and let sit overnight. These clothes will dye, you just have to be really patient.

Scarlet Red is also very dark so if you are looking for a brighter shade, try adding a little bit of yellow, but not too much where it turns Orange. Also the bottled RIT dyes seem to work a little better than the powdered crystal packs.

Thanks GrayHank, I'll give that technique a try and report back with my results.

[The Bat]

I haven't had good luck dying Doc Mego, or CTVTS stuff...but Original Mego Dyes just fine.

[Merlyn1976]

I haven't had good luck dying Doc Mego, or CTVTS stuff...but Original Mego Dyes just fine.

Especially the Tinman's grey suit...

[gman]

This method gives me the best results and I have dyed Doc Mego's stuff, CTVT's stuff, and even the PMAJ clothes with pretty good success..... I got it from "Custom Uniforms by Mary" -- can't take credit for the technique.

Step 1: Get the water boiling first. Add some salt if you're doing cotton or polyester fabrics (I added about 1/2 cup). This will help the dye soak into the fabric. When the water is boiling add the Scarlet dye and blend well. Use a pot that you will never cook with again.


Step 2: While the dye is returning to a boil wet all the stuff you want to dye. WEAR RUBBER GLOVES--SQUEEZE out the excess water in your fabric--you don't want it sopping wet, just damp. Add this to the boiling dye mixture.





Step 3: Boil the fabric for about 5 minutes. If you have a lot of folded pieces be sure to mix it up good and stir constantly. Poke and turn the fabric over. I use a wooden spoon for this. Keep all the pieces of fabric submersed in the boiling mixture at all times.




After boiling for 5 minutes lower heat and simmer for another 5 minutes then remove the pot from the burner and let it all cool for another 30 minutes. Now it's time to rinse your fabric items. Keep in mind it will look lighter after it dries. Rinse WELL!


Step 4: After a GOOD RINSE, let the fabric dry completly. If you're impatient like me, you can use a blow dryer.

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

Dyes don't adhere so good to synthetic fabric; which is what most Mego scaled clothes are made of. If you're dyeing something, try using a dye that's about 25% darker than you want the final colour to be.

Don C.

[The Kryptonite Kid]

I thank you all so much for the dye help, But credit must be given to the most effective technique provided by Grayhank! I managed to dye both of my items using his technique so a special thanks to you sir Once my customs are complete Mr.Grayhank will find himself in the credits Thanks pal! -Will