Richard-RCU

My Feedback: (21)

Any suggestions on how to tint canopies. I have an Aeroworks 33% Patty Wagstaff and the canopy supplied is a light blue (very light blue) tint....would love to darken it. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Forgues Research

My Feedback: (7)

Is this what you want?

Tinting

Richard-RCU

My Feedback: (21)

Yes, that looks great....how did you do it?

Forgues Research

My Feedback: (7)

I spray paint in the interior using Testors Transparent Blue. Apply light coats at a time.

Richard-RCU

My Feedback: (21)

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

gary9648

My Feedback: (1)

You can also tint them using rite dye at the local grocery store and some hot water. Just mix the dye in hot water and let the canopy soak in it. Check it ever so often til it gets the level of tint you want and rinse with cold water and install.

jgiles-RCU

My Feedback: (1)

The Rit Dye works great and in my experience is much easier to do than painting. You must be careful that you don't overheat the water because it will warp or shrink some plastics. I have used 150-160 degree water to tint just about all plastics including rubbermain containers, canopy's, abs, and pop bottles.

Put the water in a large enough sauce pan, add the rit dye per instructions, stick in a thermometer and your canopy and bring it up to temperature.

I generally use the dark colors as you can pull the plastic out when the right shade is reached.

Very easy to do, fuel proof, no fumes, drips or overspray. Be careful with the dye though as it will stain just about anything!

r1morris

My Feedback: (1)

I add a little denatured alcohol to the water with the rit dye it does help and the water doesn't have to be as hot. Just keep an eye on how dark you want your piece to turn out.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Ditto on the RIT dye

Richard-RCU

My Feedback: (21)

Thanks for all the input...I am going to try the Rit dye this weekend.

rockmon

The way to use the rit is you add it to the water and bring it up to between 130 and 140 in temp and then put the canopy in the dye. Make sure you keep an eye on the canopy so you get the right ammount of tint,it doesn't take long for it to get real dark then rinse in cold water. Pour the rest of the rit into a gallon milk jug and store it to use again later.

Maple50

I have just tried the rit method today on my four star canopy and was really happy with it! I first tried the Model Master window tint spray and it really sucked! It splattered and ran! It was terrible.
But I was wondering if as the water cools while your tinting your canopy, does the dye stop working? My canopy kind of stopped getting any darker, and I would have liked it a little darker. If I save the mixed dye do I reheat it if I use it again? How do you heat it? I just heated mine with really hot tap water.

Kevin Station