Tips on dyeing waterproof material?

[CurseTheSky]

A while ago I picked up a surplus Swiss Army mountaineering backpack. It was cheap ($40ish), has an internal frame, waterproof coating, and it should be tough enough to take a lot of abuse. It should be great for camping without breaking the bank. Here's an example: http://www.amazon.com/Original-Swiss...dp/B00916SCWC/

The only downside is that it comes in a nasty olive drab color. I was hoping to dye it black, so it picked up some RIT dye. After doing some research, it seems that the dye might not penetrate into the waterproof coating and will either rub off or simply not take.

What's my best bet? Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[MrColin]

Black sharpies. Extract the ink from a whole box of them via centrifugation and brush it on.

Keep in mind that any stain that could work on that material will be in a toxic organic solvent that can/will poison you and possibly dissolve your backpack.

 

[natto fire]

I don't have a suggestion on how to change the color, but I am curious why you have to be fashionable while camping?

Any dye or finish you put on it will ruin the original waterproofing and you will have to reseal it. Basically a huge pain in the ass and added expense to color coordinate camping gear.

Sorry I can't help with what to actually dye it with, but I am almost certain it will ruin the factory waterproofing.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I recommend you not try that. That rubberized material isn't made to be dyed. The best you can hope for is that it comes out looking like shit. What will probably happen is that it'll look like shit and get dye all over YOUR shit the first time you use it afterwards.

 

[who?]

If you do an internet search for "dye vinyl" I see lots of results but I don't see anything about waterproof vinyl.
Do you enjoy the Divinyls hit song "I Touch Myself" ?

 

[lxskllr]

OD's my favorite color. Spray paint is probably the only thing that would semi work, but that would look like shit.

 

[Rakehellion]

Form over function. Just buy a kids' backpack next time.

 

[Howard]

I'm a fan of form over function but man that thing looks like ass.

 

[Imp]

Rubberized vinyl material... Wrap a rain cover over it?

 

[BladeVenom]

Maybe transfer printing.

Maybe the right kind of ink.

 

[highland145]

Duct tape, obviously.