Does anyone have any suggestions for tinting a canopy? I've heard of using Rit Dye, but have no idea how.

These are the directions I have used...
They are not mine...but they have worked!


Directions I found on RCU and modified slightly (time and temp) per my findings:

10 Steps to Tinting Canopy Bliss

This method works with Lexan canopies using Tintex or Ritt fabric dyes.

1. Clean your canopy with warm water and mild soap, rinse thoroughly.

Note: Avoid touching the canopy, oils from your fingers may affect the tinting (use rubber gloves).

3. Find a container larger than your canopy, preferably something you don't intend to use again.

4. Use hot water (140°F), and fill your container to a depth one (1) inch above the canopy.

5. Add 1 cup of vinegar for each gallon of water used.

6. Mix in two parts of black dye and one part of Royal Blue dye thoroughly, there should be no clumps.
(Note: This combination will produce a smoked tint. You could also use straight Black or any other color desired.
I used 3 total packs of dye in a 10 Gallon plastic garabage can. Perhaps I should have used more dye to reduce
the total time needed to get the right level of tint.)

7. Depending on the tint desired this process could take anywhere from 20 minutes up to 12 hours.

8. Once your canopy has reached the desired tint, remove and rinse with cold water.

9. Now marvel at that spectacular tinted canopy, and giggle at how cheap and easy it was to do.

10. Now say to yourself … Damn I’m Good!

I did try and maintain the water temp for a couple of hours, but then just kind of left it alone. The other point to make is I prefer a rather dark tint. You may not and others have reported adequate tinting in as little as 20 minutes. This is certainly not an exact science as their are a large number of variables. You just have to work at it until you get what you want. I believe the trick to avoid any chance of warping is to avoid water temp over 140°F and dye the canopy before you trim in any way.

Get a pot large enough to hold the canopy. If it's really big, you can use a cardboard box lined with a trash bag.

Mix a package of dye with hot water, not boiling, but hot enough that you don't want to put your hand in it (about 140°)

CLEAN the canopy with dish soap and rince. Do not touch it with you bare fingers, use tongs or clean gloves.

Dip the canopy, let it sit for a few seconds and check it.

Repeat until you have reached the desired color

How dark do you want it ? The Rite dye works good if you are not looking for a very dark tint. If you want dark go to a car hobby shop and ask for the paint the car guys use to tint the car bodys. Its a Lexan paint.
Now how you do the dye is put hot water in a bucket . Deep enough to cover the canopy about 1 inch above it and not too hot to warp it either. It has to be just about right there. Pour the dye in the water mix it then put the canopy in. Make sure the canopy is clean of all marks and oil before you put it in. Let it sit for about 90 mins. Or if you want a lite tint check it after 45 mins. Some guys add salt to this solution. How much and why I`m not sure.

I have found ARF canopies do not take Rite Dye. ONly the build it yourself kits. And I don't know about the more recent kits.

A real mess saver: 1. Use a plastic tall kitchen plastic bag in the container your will be using. 2. Don't do this in the kitchen (unless you are already divorced............) 3. 130 degree water will yield a very dark tint in 60 minutes. (See picture) 4. Canopy cement will clean off of the canopy using windex and a soft cotton rag.

Has anyone tried automotive vinyl dye paint. I used it on the Du-Bro landing gear and it works very well. Granted this stuff must definitely be used outside or with a breather. Fumes are very nasty.

I'm wondering if you sprayed the inside of the canopy you would end up with the same shine outside and the "black-out" inside. I'm looking for results similar to blaughn without having to risk sleeping in the dog-house.

Why add the blue dye? What would black only turn out like? I like the very dark tint, much like what is called Limo tint in the auto industry.

as a former rc car guy, the idea of tinting a canopy allways sonded like a MESS. for my aiplane canopys, I usually do is treat them like the lexan car bodies! most hobby shops that carry cars will also carry body paints! any of the "candy" colors will come out translucent by them selves, and yes, they even have "smoke" for those who just want a tint.

I paint canopies with the folowing procedure.

1: WASH the canopy with a mild soap, pay close attention to the inside, because this is the side youll be painting!

2: MASK the outside. You dont want any overspray on the outside!

3: PICK a good day, no rain, little wind. This is nessesary if you paint outside!

4: REPEAT step 1

5: SPRAY in LIGHT, EVEN coats wait 15-30 minuites between coats, and ALTERNATE direction of spray until desired "tint" is achieved!

Hey waygers, how did the dying come out?