Gopher Slayer
Member
I've been asked a few times about how to do it, so here it is for everyone to use.
Using Rit dye to change the color of polymer parts is very easy and can be a fun experience. It doesn't flake off or wear out like even the most expensive spray on finishes. If you have a buttstock, grip, magazine, etc. in the wrong color or you just want to change things up, the best solution is at the grocery store.
I got my info from Recoil magazine and a few threads on another forum. These are just my quick notes.
link to narrowed google search https://www.google.com/search?source=ig&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS306&q=rit+dye+site%3Aar15.com&oq=rit+dye+site%3Aar15.com&gs_l=igoogle.3...2043.22927.0.24407.33.14.11.8.2.0.80.896.14.14.0...0.0...1ac.1.OXYFn1cxJeY
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What you need:
a pot big enough for the part being dyed
Measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Meat thermometer (can do without)
Tongs
Rit Dye (powder works better for black)
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Liquid ratio: start with a 1/4 teaspoon to one cup of water. Drops can be added to darken.
Powder ratio: 1/2 teaspoon ""
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Don't get it on yourself and clean anything it gets on asap. Old worn out porcelain tubs will change color as soon as the dye hits it. Be careful where you clean up. I didn't have any problems with a white sink or a stainless.
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Step 1 - Heat the mixture to 150-175(meat therm.) After the first time I heated it to just before boiling (no therm). I've done several items and the polymer hasn't melted or deformed in any way. I always kept the parts in a spoon or on a grate so they didn't sit directly on the surface the burner was heating.
Step 2 - Use tongs to gently submerge the part in the solution. Check it every minute or so to get your desired color. Move the part around in the solution so all the surfaces get colored. Black takes about 10-15 minutes to get it nice and dark. Most colors will take anywhere from 1-10 minutes depending on the opacity you're looking for, so check it often.
Step 3 - Pull the part out and pat it dry with a clean cloth.
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If you want to experiment with colors, you can return a part to about 90% it's original color by doing the same procedure with bleach water @ 140 degrees F. The ratio for that is 1 part bleach to two parts water. Soak time is 30 minutes to an hour.
my followers ( sorry for the poor quality pics)
before
after
the dark swirls are in the polymer, not the color.
NOT MY PIC - example of camo dye jobs
Feel free to add your methods and finished products.
Using Rit dye to change the color of polymer parts is very easy and can be a fun experience. It doesn't flake off or wear out like even the most expensive spray on finishes. If you have a buttstock, grip, magazine, etc. in the wrong color or you just want to change things up, the best solution is at the grocery store.
I got my info from Recoil magazine and a few threads on another forum. These are just my quick notes.
link to narrowed google search https://www.google.com/search?source=ig&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS306&q=rit+dye+site%3Aar15.com&oq=rit+dye+site%3Aar15.com&gs_l=igoogle.3...2043.22927.0.24407.33.14.11.8.2.0.80.896.14.14.0...0.0...1ac.1.OXYFn1cxJeY
--------------------------------------------
----------------
What you need:
a pot big enough for the part being dyed
Measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Meat thermometer (can do without)
Tongs
Rit Dye (powder works better for black)
--------------
Liquid ratio: start with a 1/4 teaspoon to one cup of water. Drops can be added to darken.
Powder ratio: 1/2 teaspoon ""
-----------
Don't get it on yourself and clean anything it gets on asap. Old worn out porcelain tubs will change color as soon as the dye hits it. Be careful where you clean up. I didn't have any problems with a white sink or a stainless.
----------------
Step 1 - Heat the mixture to 150-175(meat therm.) After the first time I heated it to just before boiling (no therm). I've done several items and the polymer hasn't melted or deformed in any way. I always kept the parts in a spoon or on a grate so they didn't sit directly on the surface the burner was heating.
Step 2 - Use tongs to gently submerge the part in the solution. Check it every minute or so to get your desired color. Move the part around in the solution so all the surfaces get colored. Black takes about 10-15 minutes to get it nice and dark. Most colors will take anywhere from 1-10 minutes depending on the opacity you're looking for, so check it often.
Step 3 - Pull the part out and pat it dry with a clean cloth.
---------------
If you want to experiment with colors, you can return a part to about 90% it's original color by doing the same procedure with bleach water @ 140 degrees F. The ratio for that is 1 part bleach to two parts water. Soak time is 30 minutes to an hour.
my followers ( sorry for the poor quality pics)
before
after
the dark swirls are in the polymer, not the color.
NOT MY PIC - example of camo dye jobs
Feel free to add your methods and finished products.
Last edited:
