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I have a set of B2 or B3 wheels and I tried to dye them black for my Team Car project. I used Rit dye first by the instructions and then again with a stronger dye bath. The first time they went from yellow to brown and the second bath darkened them a little, but they are still brown instead of black. What am I doing wrong here? Should I just hit them with some krylon fusion and call it a day?

how hot is the water getting when doing this?

You might need to leave them in the dye bath a lot longer. More salt could help too.

Man,, I wish I had known before you dyed them, I have a NIP black set of B3 wheels I want to trade for a Yellow set

PBR Allstar wrote:Man,, I wish I had known before you dyed them, I have a NIP black set of B3 wheels I want to trade for a Yellow set

He has a very rare brown set I bet he'd trade.

Well, I brought the water up to a boil and then took the pot off the heat before adding the wheels. Both times they were in the bath about a half hour. I'm not known for my patience. I'm gonna get some more dye and try again with more salt.

PBR, I don't think you would've wanted these. They're pretty well used. When I got them, one of the fronts was already dyed black and the other three were yellow. I may not even use them on my project, I may just make the mods to use B4 wheels. I just love those Rulux wheels. I'll still try to get the wheels dyed black to resell a matching set. Thanks for the tips.

some of the smoother/harder plastics wont take dye, it could be the wheels just aint made with the right stuff thats 'porous' enough to let the dye in. i can kinda see by the look of the b2-b3 yellow wheels that they wouldnt dye well. it has something to do with the chemistry of the plastic and its ability to retain moisture or something like that.

I've always dyed parts while they were still in the fire. Take maxture up to boiling...but keep an eye on everything becasue it WILL over flow. I almost ruined a white stove...keeping this in mind, I bought black appliances a couple years ago

You should get the dye to point where it's still bubbling, but not boiling over. Use a string to tie all of the parts loosely together and then the dunk the whole thing. Since you're dying the parts black, you can keep them in there for about 10 minutes....make sure that you don't boil the liquid out.

Try this and see what happens. Also, I reuse all of my dye. After it cool off, just pit it into a clear plastic spill proof container.

hope this helps...

Regards,
highwayracer

i never have any problems really, i dont use salt, i use 3 boxes of black rit dye with maybe about 3 inches of water, and my parts turn black with above 2-3 minutes no problem once the water gets to tempature

mikedealer wrote:parts turn black with above 2-3 minutes no problem once the water gets to tempature

Actually, you hit the nail on the head. The parts have to be hot enough to allow the dye to penetrate the surface of the plastic. I recently validated that when I ruined a set of yokomo wheels

mikedealer wrote:i never have any problems really, i dont use salt, i use 3 boxes of black rit dye with maybe about 3 inches of water, and my parts turn black with above 2-3 minutes no problem once the water gets to tempature

Holy crap! 3 boxes???
I generally use 1/2 and it still only takes a few minutes....

I think Badhoopty has it though, the wheels aren't of the same material as gool, ol' virgin white nylon....

The liquid RIT is usually cheaper and a couple cap fulls usually do the trick. Patience is key, remember to stir the parts often, and I have heard a little salt does help.

I have dyed lots of yellow wheels and they all take to black no matter of brand.
Yellow wheels actually look better dyed black than white wheels cause white usually
turns purple in the sun.
I use a 1/2 teaspoon of salt and make sure my parts sit in the color for a few min
at a boil and then i let them simmer.
I have dyed wheels and G10 with no problems patience and heat is the key.

HotRodJosh wrote:

mikedealer wrote:i never have any problems really, i dont use salt, i use 3 boxes of black rit dye with maybe about 3 inches of water, and my parts turn black with above 2-3 minutes no problem once the water gets to tempature

Holy crap! 3 boxes???
I generally use 1/2 and it still only takes a few minutes....

I think Badhoopty has it though, the wheels aren't of the same material as gool, ol' virgin white nylon....

i know for a fact some plastic will not take dye, no matter how much you use or how hot you get it. i just dont have it in me to research...