Author Topic: Dying plastics.. Can it be done? (Read 4989 times)

Trusty2stroke · « **on:** May 13, 2014, 12:46:52 PM »

Im getting ready to dye my red clarke oversized tank to black in a couple days and I would like to try a maier 88-89 style hood at the same time. I have dyed plastics before from my RC vehicles and it works great but im not sure if it will work on the plastics that our fenders are made out of. Do you guys think this will work?

kb250r · « **Reply #1 on:** May 13, 2014, 03:48:49 PM »

Humm im very intrusred in this....

Trusty2stroke · « **Reply #2 on:** May 13, 2014, 04:32:48 PM »

I just remembered that I have junk oem 88 hood that I can use as a test subject lol. I have to let my tank air out for a couple days but once its ready Ill report back with pics.

JesseA420 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 13, 2014, 04:43:34 PM »

doing black may work, but to do any other color you will probably have to start out with natural uncolored plastic. please post back and let us know!

GO OVRIT · « **Reply #4 on:** May 13, 2014, 04:59:00 PM »

What is the process for this?

JesseA420 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 13, 2014, 05:12:12 PM »

just soak her in some rit dye and voila lol

havinnoj · « **Reply #6 on:** May 13, 2014, 05:50:25 PM »

Does the dye get absorbed evenly? I've never heard of anyone doing this but am curious now! I have always just painted my stuff.

Trusty2stroke · « **Reply #7 on:** May 13, 2014, 06:22:14 PM »

I have done it many times for my rc vehicles plastic prices and it works very well. I have one particular piece that I dyed 6 years ago and it still looks great. I know it will work on the tank but the question is weather the hood plastic will asorb the dye or not.

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wretched73 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 13, 2014, 06:24:23 PM »

I wouldn't do it on the tank. I talked to a shop about hydro dipping and they won't guarantee a tank because of it holding gasoline and that causing issues. So I would assume the same issues would arise in a dyed tank.

Trusty2stroke · « **Reply #9 on:** May 13, 2014, 06:47:47 PM »

The gas won't effect the tank. The plastic asorbs the dye, so even if it gets scratched it will still be black instead of red. Hydrograph is like a film that lays over the object.

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patman13mia · « **Reply #10 on:** May 13, 2014, 06:49:15 PM »

i actually talked to a guy over on .net about dying a gas tank and he said it worked good. i think his name was gooch.

kb250r · « **Reply #11 on:** May 13, 2014, 07:47:56 PM »

What kinda dye would you use..Is it a dip and soak kinda deal?

Trusty2stroke · « **Reply #12 on:** May 13, 2014, 07:58:31 PM »

The gas won't effect the tank. The plastic asorbs the dye, so even if it gets scratched it will still be black instead of red. Hydrograph is like a film that lays over the object.

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Trusty2stroke · « **Reply #13 on:** May 13, 2014, 08:01:33 PM »

Woops, somehow my last post went up twice. Sorry about that. You boil some water and add rit dye. Stir it up and drop in what needs colored and wait about 15 min depending on the size of object. Check to see if color is dark enough and if not let it soak longer

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GO OVRIT · « **Reply #14 on:** May 13, 2014, 08:42:57 PM »

Do you keep it at boiling temp the whole time?