Learn to do Rainbow Dyeing - WashFast Acid Dyes

<%@ Language=JavaScript %> Learn to do Rainbow Dyeing - WashFast Acid Dyes

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

Rainbow Dyeing using WashFast Acid Dyes

Please read directions carefully before starting.

Use WashFast Acid Dyes to produce rainbow or variegated dyed wool, silk, angora, mohair and nylon. It is important to do samples before working on a large project. For additional information visit our web site at www.prochemical.com.

W Wear rubber gloves, apron or old clothes and cover work area with newspapers.
W Dye utensils should never be used for food preparation.

Supplies

WashFast Acid dye
Synthrapol
Citric Acid Crystals, Ammonium Sulfate, or white vinegar

Procedure

1. Make the acid soak solution. Please read the three methods below, then choose the one that best suits your application needs. Soak the fiber for at least 30 minutes in one of the solutions below.

NOTE: Soak Solution can be kept indefinitely in closed container and can be reused to soak more fiber.

Method #1
1 gallon (4 liters) 95^oF (35^oC) water
6 Tbl (105 gm) Citric Acid Crystals
2 tsp (10 ml) Synthrapol

Method #2
1 gallon (4 liters) 95^oF (35^oC) water
6 Tbl (54 gm) Ammonium Sulfate
2 tsp (10 ml) Synthrapol

Method #3
3 quarts (3 liters) 95^oF (35^oC) water
4 cups (1 liter) white vinegar
2 tsp (10 ml) Synthrapol

2. Make the dye paint. Decide if you want a pale, medium or dark value. Measure the dye powder amount, according to the chart below, into a clean dry 1 cup (250 ml) measure. Dissolve the dye powder with 1 cup (250 ml) of boiling water and set aside until cool.

	Pale	Medium	Dark	Black
Dye	¼ tsp (0.75 gm)	1 tsp (2.5 gm)	2 tsp (5 gm)	4 tsp (10 gm)

3. Apply the dye paint. While wearing rubber gloves, squeeze out any excess acid soak solution from the fiber. Lay fiber (yarn or fleece) on a length of plastic wrap. Apply the dye solution with a sponge brush, squeeze bottle, or syringe, or by dipping the fiber into the dye paint. Work the dye solution into the yarn or fleece with your gloved fingers to insure thorough saturation.

NOTE: Leftover dissolved dye can be stored for a minimum of 6 months

It is handy to have a bucket of clear water next to your working area to rinse your hands between color changes. Obtain a fluid color gradation by overlapping one or two colors to produce a third color. Be careful not to apply so much dye that color drips from the fiber, as colors run together during the steam set process. Wrap the fiber with the plastic wrap. If you are dyeing silk, put this wrapped bundle aside for 30 minutes. This 30 minute rest yields darker colors because the dye penetration improves.

4. Set the dye. Place the plastic wrapped fiber on a stainless steel leaved vegetable steamer. Place the steamer in a stainless steel, enamel, or Pyrex pot with water in the bottom. Water should not touch the bottom of the vegetable steamer basket. Place the pot on a burner and cover. Steam for 30 minutes, measuring the time after the water begins to boil. After 30 minutes, turn the heat off and allow the fiber to cool to room temperature. Remove the fiber and rinse thoroughly in warm water. Squeeze out excess water and air dry.

Helpful information to know

Once the WashFast Acid Bright Red 351 and Bright Blue 440 are dissolved and cooled to room temperature, they have a tendency to form a gelatinous solution. Warm the dye solution up and it is easy to measure. Or you can add up to 4 Tbl (50 gm) of Urea to each cup of dye solution to inhibit the dye from becoming gelatinous. Add the urea once the dye solution cools to 120EF (49EC). Discard the dye solution if you detect an ammonia smell.