I've lost the ability to dye bodysuits!

[stuart]

I picked up 3 of CTVT's white cotton bodysuits to dye. I've tried Rit and I've tried Jacquard (recommended in another thread). I can't tell if the problem is the suit, the dye, me, or all three. I have failed on 4 different suits using three different colors -red, green, and black. A couple of years ago I had great luck dying bodysuits. I'm about to give up and just go and buy some fabric markers. Any ideas?

[thunderbolt]

Rit changed its formula and it won't dye pvc anymore. It should work on cotton, tho.

[dr_cyclops]

I'm running into trouble with dyeing CTVT white shirts and long lab coat, Dr Mego purple pants, Rit black. This is the same Rit black I used to dye a Mego Batman head. Material is not accepting the dye anywhere near desired.

[stuart]

Now I have several light grayish, brownish, tannish bodysuits. Any suggestions what I can do with these? Fabric paint will make them too stiff. Fabric markers will take forever.

[stuart]

My wife suggested Koolade for the lighter suits. That stuff will dye anything - I think.

[plaztekman]

I was about to set up a dye batch with Rit. After hearing about this I may need to change my plans. Has anyone tried "Tulip" brand dye?

[stuart]

Tulip didn't work any better than the Rit. I think the problem is the CTVT bodysuit. Doc claims his are dye-able. I tend to believe what he says.

[plaztekman]

Tulip didn't work any better than the Rit. I think the problem is the CTVT bodysuit. Doc claims his are dye-able. I tend to believe what he says.

I've got 4 white CTVT bodysuits to color. I guess I'm gonna try every option I can think of. Maybe other options like Kool-Aid, that was mentioned before, or food coloring would work?

[Starroid Raiders Dagon]

You could probably spray them with Vinyl car interior color, and that would take. I dont want to suggest something that would ruin the suit, but maybe a little acetone in the low boiling water (careful it can splatter) will help the fabric take the dye? Are you using the powder dye?

[plaztekman]

You could probably spray them with Vinyl car interior color, and that would take. I dont want to suggest something that would ruin the suit, but maybe a little acetone in the low boiling water (careful it can splatter) will help the fabric take the dye? Are you using the powder dye?

yes...I was gonna use powder Rit. I watched the video you linked about adding acetone to soften the molecular structure to allow the dye to take. I'm thinking fabrics would take a very low acetone/water ratio. ...but curious/concerned about the effect of acetone in boiling water.

[CrimsonGhost]

I'm pretty sure the acetone was added to dye plastic, not fabric.

[plaztekman]

I'm pretty sure the acetone was added to dye plastic, not fabric.

I understood that, but I was wondering if the fabric is actually "plastic" in composition.

[dr_cyclops]

I understood that, but I was wondering if the fabric is actually "plastic" in composition.

This is a very good question. I tried adding acetone to an original Mego Batman head, and it worked against the dye. In the end, it was salt and vinegar that finished the job. I'm considering acetone again as well as scrubbing the clothes in a hard cleaning for prep. Now I got to dig up those pieces.

[stuart]

Koolade is a bust unless you want a pastel suit. I'm now trying calligraphy ink.

[plaztekman]

food coloring? How about breaking open a magic marker?