C:\Website\Immersion Dyeing Nylon.htm

PO Box 14 • Somerset, MA 02726
orders 1-800-2-BUY-DYE
technical support 508-676-3838
fax 508-676-3980
e-mail • promail@prochemical.com
www.prochemical.com

Immersion Dyeing Nylon and Acetate Rayon
using PROsperse Disperse Dyes

Please read directions carefully before starting.

For medium to dark shades, it is recommended that nylon be dyed with acid dyes, because disperse dyes lack acceptable fastness. Acetate rayon can only be dyed with disperse dyes and has acceptable fastness in all depths of shade with the disperse dyes. All Dyeing should be done in a stainless steel or enamelware container only. Never use aluminum pots. Use Pyrex or stainless steel measuring utensils and a large wooden dowel for stirring in the boiling dye bath. Always do test samples before working on a large project. For additional information, visit our web site at www.prochemical.com.

Wear rubber gloves, apron, or old clothes.

Utensils used for dyeing should never be used for food preparation.

Supplies
PROsperse Disperse Dye
Citric Acid or White Distilled Vinegar
Synthrapol
PRO Dye Activator or Soda Ash

Procedure
1. Scour the fabric by machine washing in HOT 140^oF (60^oC) water, or by hand in a pot on the stove with ½ tsp (2 gm) PRO Dye Activator or Soda Ash and ½ tsp (2.5 ml) Synthrapol per pound of fabric (454 gm, or 3 to 4 yards of muslin weight fabric). Rinse thoroughly. This step does not add the dye fixative to the fabric; it prepares your fabric for dyeing by removing any dirt, oil or sizing.

2. Dissolve the dye. Thoroughly dissolve the desired amount of dye powder, from the chart below, in 1 cup (250 ml) of boiling water. Let mixture cool to room temperature and stir well again. Before adding to dye bath, strain it through two layers of old nylon stockings.

Immersion Dyeing for 1 pound (454 gm) of Nylon or Acetate Rayon

	Pale	Medium	Dark	Black
Dye Powder	½ tsp (1.3 gm)	1½ tsp (3.8 gm)	3 tsp (7.5 gm)	6 tsp (15 gm)
Synthrapol	1 tsp (5 ml)	1 tsp (5 ml)	1 tsp (5 ml)	1 tsp (5 ml)

Citric Acid 56% or White Vinegar

2½ tsp (12.5 ml) or 9 Tbl (135 ml)

2½ tsp (12.5 ml) or 9 Tbl (135ml)

2½ tsp (12.5 ml) or 9 Tbl (135 ml)

3. Prepare the dye bath. Measure 2 ½ gallons (10 liters) of 100^oF to 105 ^oF (38^o to 41^oC) water into a non-reactive, stainless steel or enamel pot. Add the dissolved and strained dye, Synthrapol, and the Citric Acid 56% or white distilled vinegar. Stir well after each addition.

4. Add the damp, scoured fabric and raise the temperature of the dye bath to 205^oF (96^oC), while stirring constantly.

5. Dye for 30 to 45 minutes at 205^oF (96^oC), stirring intermittently and gently to prevent the fabric from creasing or distorting.

6. Remove from the heat and allow the dye bath to cool to below 150^oF (66^oC).

7. After the dye bath cools to 150^oF (66^oC), rapidly cool the fabric by allowing cool water to run into the dye pot.

8. Rinse well, extract excess water and dry.