Want black mag followers? D.I.Y.
- Thread starter Gopher Slayer
- Start date
OP
Gopher Slayer
Member
It doesn't look like the dye penetrated the polymer at all. I've used the powder dye on a couple followers and random FDE parts, so I know that's not the issue.
What temperature was the solution?
You could barely see a trace of red on mine after the first couple minutes. The water was almost at a low boil. If you're using a meat thermometer, make sure it's not touching the bottom of the pot when checking the temperature.
Majorlk
Member
It doesn't look like the dye penetrated the polymer at all. I've used the powder dye on a couple followers and random FDE parts, so I know that's not the issue.
What temperature was the solution?
You could barely see a trace of red on mine after the first couple minutes. The water was almost at a low boil. If you're using a meat thermometer, make sure it's not touching the bottom of the pot when checking the temperature.
And make sure the powder is completely dissolved.
Olirage: took me three separate tries looking like yours finally got it to work with the powder mix after three tries (One over night) with the liquid. When i did get it to take took about 30 mins and i washed them real good with dawn to de grease them.
Jeffro57
Member
I did mine with the liquid. It was at a medium simmer for close to 3 hours! They got dark brown, but I couldn't achieve black. It beats bright orange!
Kayback
Member
Rattle can or sharpie if all else fails? They will wear off in the high wear areas, but you shouldn't be able to see those anyway?
KBK
KBK
I tried some more and can't get then to change at all. I've looked up other instructions, watched videos, everything and nothing works. I'm starting to sounds like a crazy person. I'm thinking about to putting them in a cup of just straight dye (no water) over night to see what happens.
OP
Gopher Slayer
Member
I'm stumped.
I'm not sure if this has anything to do with it, but it might.
Introducing Rit's New Color Formulas | Rit Dye
I'm going to get some powder Rit from Walmart to see what I come up with.
Now if I could only buy a new magazine to work with. Just kidding. I'll get one from a friend.
I'm not sure if this has anything to do with it, but it might.
Introducing Rit's New Color Formulas | Rit Dye
I'm going to get some powder Rit from Walmart to see what I come up with.
Now if I could only buy a new magazine to work with. Just kidding. I'll get one from a friend.
Majorlk
Member
Just curious ...
What's with not liking the red/orange followers?
What's with not liking the red/orange followers?
Black looks better than orange and this gives me something productive to do rather than watching tv before work.
Beuford T. Rimfire
Member
He's obviously turning his rifle into something inherently evil and much more destructive by going ALL black.
OP
Gopher Slayer
Member
For me, it was like an orange construction cone in the background of the Mona Lisa.
I like having hiviz followers on certain firearms (like pump action shotguns) but this isn't one of them.
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I'm stumped too.
1. I've dyed plastic before with RIT Dye.
2. It's a very simple process.
I didn't mean to overload this thread with negative results but I would love to know why my outcome is different than everyone else's. black mag followers were never a necessity but now it's a mission haha I can't be defeated!
1. I've dyed plastic before with RIT Dye.
2. It's a very simple process.
I didn't mean to overload this thread with negative results but I would love to know why my outcome is different than everyone else's. black mag followers were never a necessity but now it's a mission haha I can't be defeated!
Kayback
Member
Hey if negative results is what we're getting now, it needs to be reported. Others need to know if things do or do not work.
KBK
KBK
OP
Gopher Slayer
Member
Well I did two more last night. I said I the liquid worked better in my notes. After doing one in liquid and one in powder side-by-side, I've changed my mind. The powder worked faster and got the follower darker. The liquid is supposed to be more concentrated, so I don't know what's going on there. It seems to work better on Magpul furniture since it's more porous.
I used 3 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoons RIT
One slotted plastic spoon to hold the follower(s)
I let it soak for 20-25 minutes @ 165* (meat therm. 1/4" from the bottom)
The results
still wet
In this pic both are done in powder Rit. I re-dyed the one from the liquid rit solution.
I used 3 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoons RIT
One slotted plastic spoon to hold the follower(s)
I let it soak for 20-25 minutes @ 165* (meat therm. 1/4" from the bottom)
The results
still wet
In this pic both are done in powder Rit. I re-dyed the one from the liquid rit solution.
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Dikinalaska
Member
So could one dye a poly pistol frame? As long as it wasn't black obviously. If so what would be any extra preparation? I just don't know how it'd work out, don't see why not I guess.
OP
Gopher Slayer
Member
I don't see why it wouldn't work. I wouldn't make it my first project though.
With most polymers I've colored, you can just dip the part in the solution a few times and it's done. The 15-22 followers are different. They are a harder polymer, and going from red/orange
to black is a little more extreme. They need to soak so the heated solution can penetrate.
I think a frame like the Springfield XD would change color easily, but something like the Ruger SR9 might not.
With most polymers I've colored, you can just dip the part in the solution a few times and it's done. The 15-22 followers are different. They are a harder polymer, and going from red/orange
to black is a little more extreme. They need to soak so the heated solution can penetrate.
I think a frame like the Springfield XD would change color easily, but something like the Ruger SR9 might not.
Dikinalaska
Member
This is what I was thinking about. It's a Sig Mosquito I've been toying around with. The trigger is so terrible in this thing I almost like working on it more than shooting it. Polish work was kind of our of necessity as it fell under my seat in my truck and scratched up pretty good from the seat rail. After seeing all the dyeing here, I'm thinking a new color might be next.
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