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Old 03-31-2006 | 11:48 PM
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Cyberwolf
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From: Blackfoot , ID
Default RE: Tint a canopy??

Wow Overnight to dye a canopy ,Sorry I don't have that kind of time ,as a rule it takes me less than 30 mins to get the results I want .
I to use rite dye in powdered form the liquid won't work,or hasn't for me .I don't add salt or vinegar or soap either ,maybe i'll try it though .
Prep the canopy using hot soapy water and rinse well with cold and dry it off, don't leave any water spots on it .
Run hot water in a large pan over the dye and stir it up good as you go,put it on the stove and heat it until the water is just starting to move,Although I don't use one a candy thermometer one would come in handy .160 to 170 degrees is just an estimate .Trim off a edge of the flange and stick it in the dye mix color of your choice,swirl it around for a few secs and rinse it off with COLD water .If the heat is correct there wont be any deformation and the dye will take immediately.Repeat for a darker look and don't use mommas good baking pan ,as she may get rather upset and show you the pan has more uses than you was aware of.
The only canopy I couldn't dye was one I got from a buddy off his cloud dancer arf. and I have seen several that use this same sort of material It looked ok just wasn't super clear sort of a distorted look when looking thru it.I'm sorry I don't know what the material was. This may have been the time for the salt ,soap and vinegar trick ???
Anyway I would use rubber gloves the dyes a buggar to get off bare skin and some kitchen tongs help.
Oh the mix I use one package dye to 1-1 1/2 gal water approx.If possible I like to submerge the canopy but sometimes the size wont let me so I roll it in the mixture,this seems to work ok.

I build many kits a year and so far I haven't found one that couldn't be dyed ,only a few arfs .
If the canopy looks clear with no minor orange peel look I would say its dyeable.
Heres a couple I did.
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