Yes, there is a way! You would be glad to know that this post contains the best guide in this respect. Just one thing, before we dwell on the core topic, let us be clear about nylon.
Nylon is a polyamide or synthetic fiber. You can dye it with either of the two entirely different dye classes. These are-
- Acid dyes and
- Disperse dyes
You can dye merely those fabrics that are free of treatments. These can ensure water repellence or stain resistance. We can exemplify Teflon coating in this regard.
Can You Tie Dye Nylon? – How To Do That?
Here we get into the core discussion! Let us cover the steps one by one.
Use an Acid Dye
It would be your very first job. Using an acid should aim to achieve a color that matches the color of the packet. Why? The reason is, acid dyes do not have different kinds of dyes. As a result, you will get a color that closely matches the color you selected earlier.
Alternatively, you can mix two different shades of acid dyes together. Every dye comprises multiple pigments. These pigments have the ability to blend with pigments from another dye and alter the output of the color. It will be something else than you expected. For this, you will require a piece of scrap nylon to verify the mixed dyes.
Choose an All-Purpose Dye
An all-purpose dye will be the apt solution in this respect. You will find it available in almost all the craft and grocery stores. The nylon might be a bit different than that of the box. The reason is – all-purpose dyes feature two kinds of dye:
- A direct dye for cotton and
- A leveling-acid dye for nylon or wool
Note: Merely the leveling-acid dye will affect your nylon.
Despite not being identical, the color will be like that of the box or label. Particularly, if you attempt to match your nylon to the color of something else, there will be a little contrast.
Opt for Food Coloring
You will find the basic colors in the egg-dyeing kit. However, a number of colors are available out there in grocery stores, craft stores as well as online. For each item, you will require around 10 drops of food coloring. And it would help best if you used more drops for a more vibrant shade and fewer drops for a lighter color.
Apart from that, natural food extracts are also there. You may apply –
- Spinach juice for green dye
- Turmeric for yellow dye
- Beet extract for red dye
Pick an Unsweetened Powdered Drink Mix
Are you looking for an affordable option? Then go for an ideal application. Get a sugar-free powdered drink mix. At the same time, it needs to be sugar substitutes free unless you want to see the nylon turning into a gunky mess! For each item under 1 pound, it will be wise to apply one drink mix packet.
Do you want to know what is the biggest benefit of applying a drink mix on nylon? Unlike cotton, the color will not wash out even if you wash it a number of times!
The discussion above is all about choosing a type of dye. Now we will show how to prepare the dye bath. Are you there to grab that downright?
Fill up a Stockpot 3/4 with Water
Get a stockpot and fill up its 3/4 with water. Do not forget one thing- even if you wash and rinse, all-purpose dyes and acid dyes can leave chemical traces.
No matter if you use tap water or filtered water, the consequence is the same.
Put the Stockpot on Stove
Now, put the stockpot on the stove. Make sure that the burner is on medium-high heat. It would help best if you employed a front burner instead of a back burner. It will help you stir the pot with ease.
Then begin to heat the water before you add anything else to it. You have to be very careful while using the stove. And yeah, before moving on to the next step, let it come to a simmer.
Add White Vinegar
At this level, you need to add 240 ml white vinegar to the stockpot. Usually, a cup of vinegar weighs this amount. Nylon needs to soak up the dye. For this, you will need a small amount of acid, alright! The type of dye can be anything, but adding vinegar to the stockpot is a must. It will increase the lifespan of your chosen dye.
There are some types of dye that require salt while getting mixed with water. You better follow the instruction related to a dye. However, you don’t have to add any salt while using food coloring or a powdered drink mix.
Pour the Dye into Water
Hey, it’s time to pour the dye into the water. You had better use one bottle of liquid dye or one powder packet while applying acid or all-purpose dye. Are you using a powdered drink mix? Then add the complete packet of powder. The amount of dye should depend on the requirement. So think- is the nylon going to be light or dark.
Tips: Powdered dye can stain clothes, surfaces, or skin if it spills. So be cautious. Better open it over the pot.
Submerge Nylon into the Pot
Pour the nylon item into the stockpot. It would help if you used a wooden spoon to push it down. It will help you reach the pot’s bottom. However, please don’t splash the water!
If you are dyeing larger items, dye not more than one at once. If you maximize the number unwisely, it could make the color uneven. But are you going to dye small stuff? Then you can feel free to dye two or three pairs at once.
Simmer Your Nylon
You have to simmer the nylon for around 30 minutes. And please don’t forget to stir it every 5 minutes. Let not the water get boiled. Extreme heat will be hazardous for nylon. Another problem is – boiled water can breach and hamper your stove. You had better use a spoon for stirring.
Remove the Nylon from Stockpot
You need to remove the nylon from the pot. Use tongs for that. Transfer it to the sink for around 30 minutes. Then turn the burner off. Now, next to the sink put a hot pad. And in order to move the stockpot, use oven mitts. Here you will need a pair of tongs.
However, before that, clearing all the dishes out of the sink is urgent. You can protect your counters by laying down a towel.
Rinse the Nylon in Hot Water
Have some hot water to rinse the nylon. The nylon will also be hot, and it takes time to cool down. So be careful of that. It would help if you used rubber gloves for your protection. The whole rinsing will take around 10 to 15 minutes.
Rinse the Nylon in Cold Water
This time, you need to rinse your nylon in cold water. It will help set the dye. You have to soak the nylon thoroughly. Ensure that the water is running clear. This is highly important.
Let not the dye drops harm you. It will be wise to use some paper towels. Or you can use a sponge to clean up drips.
Line-Dry the Nylon
Finally, let your nylon dry in a different row so that it cannot get mixed with other fabrics. Better let them dry in the sun. On the other hand, use your indoor portion. Remember, drying it to the full extent is a must.
And yes, don’t forget to put a towel underneath the nylon. It will help catch any potential drips.
To strengthen your understanding you may also go through this link:
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Does tie dye work on nylon?
Answer: No doubt, but it works best for single-color tie-dye. However, an experienced dyer can deal with more than one color what will be challenging for a beginner.
Question: Which dye is used for dyeing nylon?
Answer: Jiggar is used for dyeing nylon. Nylon is a woven fiber that features a hydrophobic nature.
Question: Can I use permanent or semi-permanent hair dye?
Answer: No, you can’t. It is because nylon is a synthetic material.
Question: Will the dyes wash out at temperatures under 90F?
Answer: If you use a temperature below 150F, chances are high that the color will not be washed quickly.
Question: Can you remove the color from nylon?
Answer: A household chlorine bleach called hypochlorite can remove any color from nylon. However, it hampers the fiber to a large extent. It can also remove from nylon.
Question: How do you dye nylon plastic?
Answer: You can use RIT liquid dye to dye 3D printed nylon parts. It is indeed a good fit for nylon.
Question: Can you dye nylon thread?
Answer: Any kind of dye can work on nylon yarn. You can secure a superb result from the acid dye. You can rely on the same way we described in the post to dye nylon thread.
Question: Can you use this method on a pair of running shoes with a nylon upper?
Answer: Sure! You can dye the shoes end-to-end. However, it depends on the type of material the bottom part of the shoe comprises.
Question: Can you tie dye polyester?
Answer: Yes, you need to apply ”disperse dyes” to dye nylon polyester. In that case, you must heat the water to a minimum of 200℉.
Question: What is the best way to dye nylon metallic yarns without affecting them?
Answer: The post guidelines will suffice. However, you had better try the method on one piece of metallic yarn first to see the desired effect.
The Final Thoughts
Okay, here it is! Hopefully, you are confident enough to tie dye end-to-end. Have a good day!
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