Using Real DYE!!!!

[LSASr]

I keep seeing questions about painting faceplates. After years of racing RC cars I routinely used to dye plastic and nylon parts as part of my custom build outs. I wondered if that same process would work on drive faces?

Last night I tested a beige face blank and a beige 3.5 to 5.25 drive bay cover. I boiled water in a large jar in my microwave and added Rit black dye and the face plates. Made sure the plates we covered completly. Put a lid on the jar and let them sit over night.

This morning I was rewarded to find nearly perfect black face plates. I say nearly perfect because I stupidly forgot to clean the plates with alcohol or acetone before I started to get oils (moulding and hands) off the exposed surfaces. They are truly fine as-is but could have been better if I had been more careful. It will not rub off like paint as it actually penetrates the plastic.

Obviously colors other than black may be a problem (but I intend to test and see how they come out) and in any event, if it goes truly bad just dye it black!!

Anyone else try this?

LSASr

 

[OulOat]

Where did you get the dye?

 

[LSASr]

I used "Rit" Liquid Dye, Black 15. They have dry mix but I prefer the liquid as I can use it in smaller batches.

You can buy this stuff at most grocery stores in the section where detergents, etc are sold or in any fabric store. Its only about $2.50 for an 8 ounce bottle which will make galons of dye. I don't throw the dye solution away. I keep it in a sealed container (quart mason jar) and just add some new dye concentrate when I think it needs it. Works best when heated so I put it in the microwave (without the lid) BEFORE I put the parts in.

When I did nylon parts on the RCs I boiled them but that was to put a better cure on the nylon parts to reduce any tendency to crack under strain.

LSASr

 

[OulOat]

What do you do about the little clear parts for the leds to shine through?

 

[Lizardman]

Originally posted by: OulOat
What do you do about the little clear parts for the leds to shine through?

Those can be easily taken off of face covers. Most times they are just glued on or pressed on. Just take them off and then glue them back on. Not really a big thing.

 

[xXgambitXx]

That's a great idea. i was about to snag some viny die (spray paint stuff) and go over the front bezel of my 1030 clone but not i think i'll try the die idea.

so the only mistake was not washing it off first ? i'll remember to try that.

 

[deerslayer]

Cool, I might have to give this a try

 

[MedicBob]

Nice info. Need to try this for the other 1/2's computer. Cheaper then buying black drives etc.

 

[Lizardman]

bump

 

[Lizardman]

Just tried it out. I put two cd-drive covers in a metal coffee can full of hot water. Then I just poured in some of that liquid RIT stuff. Hopefully tomorrow I will have some black drive covers. I made one mistake though when doing this, the first time I tried to this in a large plastic cashew jar. I guess I overestimated the glass-transition temperature of that plastic because it buckled spilling that black dye all over my sink. That could have been ugly if it was on my kitchen table. I will let you guys know tomorrow how they turn out.

I didn't realize it, but this is the stuff used to make tye dye shirts.

 

[jarsoffart]

How did it go Lizardman? I was thinking of painting my drive bezels and I had this thread bookmarked; that's why it has been resurrected.

 

[hevnsnt]

I would be interested in seein some pics.. This is a great idea..

 

[HowAboutBob]

I saw this posted somewhere and saved it.
http://www.gideontech.com/guides/vinyldye/
Bob