Scale color dying question:

[SlippyShayne]

So I read a couple of older threads on dying scales and since my only experience dying anything is lacrosse heads (which are white) I got a question. Does the the starting color of scale effect the dye job? For example, would yellow scales dyed blue turn out green or blue in the end?

I'm hoping to turn my orange delica scales either blue or green.

Thanks for any input.

 

[JustSomeGuy]

If dyeing clothing has any relationship, yes it does matter. I've seen two different garments come out of the same dye bath looking very different because of the color they were when they went in. Unless you're going for a very dark green or blue, you will probably come out with some "interesting" results.

 

[Franciscomv]

I've only dyed one knife (a Spyderco Spyderhawk) and the original scale colour (yellow) did affect the outcome. I used dark blue dye and it came up looking a bit greenish (I like it very much).

 

[SlippyShayne]

Well with that information, I can't imagine orange being dyed anything to be appealing except maybe a dark red. I don't see blue or green yielding good results.

 

[SlippyShayne]

Also, does it fade/rub off? I know on my lacrosse sticks it was fairly durable, but I'm not even sure what they were made off.

 

[ShepardCC]

Base color will affect the outcome. If the scale is yellow and you use green it will look more red type of thing. Also dying scales only does the surface layer. It does not go all the way thru. So if you scratch it the original color will show thru.

 

[ryxlyx]

Your problem is the red-- which w/ yellow-- makes up the orange. The yellow component, mixed w/ blue, will of course give you a green. But the red component won't, and the combo gives you mud.

The above scales were earth brown to begin w/, basically a tan w/ predominate red and yellow (hated the color). I simmered them in yellow for 45 minutes to max out that component then sprinkled in a little blue for a green shift, stopping after 5/10 minutes when I had shifted them to the right olive (which is green plus MUD). Perfect, for me.

You might be able to approach this w/ yours....

 

[SlippyShayne]

No no, my scales aren't yellow, they're orange. I don't know why I used yellow as an example hahah But yours look fantastic!

 

[SlippyShayne]

So I've decided that I'm going to pick up some red and black dye some time this weekend. I plan first dying them red (maybe add a very small amount of black so it comes out darker), and then put some hot glue down and do then black. I'll try to get some pictures up if it goes well, and if it doesn't, you won't hear from me again.

 

[ryxlyx]

Hope to hear from you!

 

[aquaman67]

I dyed my 300SSN orange and it looks mahagoney.

Before

After

So yes base affects final color IMO.

 

[SlippyShayne]

After looking all over town, I could only find black RIT dye and another brand, dylon. Scales are sitting in red dylong at the moment. Doesn't seem to be as strong ad RIT so we'll see how it goes.