Projects: In Progess or Ideas? What'choo Workin' On?

[MeltedCaramel]

Finally got around to finding some RIT in the UK - I'm sure I could substitute Dylon, but the RIT was cheap, and I want to quadruple-check the type of Dylon that would be equivalent to the RIT for future use. I think this RIT is equivalent to Dylon Machine Dye. All the other Dylon dye types are "reactive" dyes that actively bond to specific fabrics rather than the general use "boil until it soaks in" that I think this RIT stuff is but I'm really not sure. The RIT might be either type - but either way I think I have an explanation for the varied success people have had with RIT liquid not working at all but RIT powder doing the job!

The project?

I'm going to attempt to make a dye-bath that will be capable of permanently altering the colour of ABS-based parts - such as hujoos (and joint parts in other brands). From spying on RC and Puzzle forums a 15% concentration of Acetone added into the dye-bath should do the trick. It will allow the dye to soak into the outer layer of the plastic permanently - not just a scratch-off coating but actually in the outer micrometre of the plastic.

I'll post pictures of the results - be they disastrous or exactly as hoped for! (If this actually works I may very well use this as an excuse to finally buy a Hujoo Arthur - and immediately dye him...) I'm not sure who the sacrificial lamb will be yet - it's a toss up between Hujoo Wings and Hujoo Hujoo right now...

Oh wow, I second this project so hard. Please do post your results Vetinari!!

[kenaiqueen]

Found a micro-pleated floral blouse at the thrift store, so I am making my new American Model a Fortuny Delphos style dress and jacket. They were very scandalous back in the 1920's.

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

@Vetinari: If you want some spare parts to try with, I'm going to try transplanting a couple of Hujoo heads onto Obitsu bodies this weekend. If it goes OK, I'll be happy send you a body for the cost of postage?

[Vetinari]

Ooh that'd be brilliant! Thanks!

[Mirrin]

I'm pulling a felt hat. I haven't started on the brim yet.

[Siead]

@Vetinari maybe see if emory at JS can pass on advice? i know they did the test run of dying one of the freya's black before, turned out really awesome.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 021&type=3


current project: road-warrior, 80's punk style armor for a costume. but waiting for spikes to ship is boooooring. lol. ah well, need to buy hot-glue sticks anyway. i can only find the skinny ones, but i need the big ones for my gun :/ big ones are always outta stock!

[Trethowan]

@Vetinari maybe see if emory at JS can pass on advice? i know they did the test run of dying one of the freya's black before, turned out really awesome.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 021&type=3


current project: road-warrior, 80's punk style armor for a costume. but waiting for spikes to ship is boooooring. lol. ah well, need to buy hot-glue sticks anyway. i can only find the skinny ones, but i need the big ones for my gun :/ big ones are always outta stock!

I remember that, didn't he dye one black? Was it dye or paint? It's been a while so I don't remember the details.

[Vetinari]

Right - it's currently halfway through the attempt... Not looking promising so far the dye really hasn't penetrated anywhere as far as I can tell apart from the pour/flow lines from the moulding process.

I've followed a mix of Emory's method, as linked to above and the following method:

http://twistypuzzles.com/forum/viewtopi ... 7&start=50

I chose RIT Kelly Green powder dye, I'm thinking I either need more dye sachets or more acetone (I've now run out of acetone altogether - so I'd need to order more in for another attempt! :s) My solution ended up more dilute than I'd have liked, I added ~20% acetone - but the instant cloud of the stuff that resulted probably meant there was a lot lot less in solution than there should have been! (I did it outdoors on a portable stove with a mask so didn't get too fumigated!)

I'll let the dye bath sit overnight and post the results tomorrow, but thus far it's looking like the 1st attempt was a failure.

[MeltedCaramel]

Vetinari- From what I've heard RIT dye definitely needs over-saturated (way beyond what they say on the bottle). What was your first test piece if you don't mind me asking? I plan on doing the same with some tan RIT dye and some figma bits that are hanging around.

[DollyKim]

I'm looking in to trying to carve a penny wooden doll. I have the tools and some wood from one of those craft store carving packs to play with. It's one of those just for the sake of trying projects.