Re - Dye black convertible top lessons learned

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: Re - Dye black convertible top lessons learned
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Kriegel on Saturday, November 02, 2013 - 07:15 am:

Lessons learned – I hope this helps someone in the future dyeing convertible touring top
In my previous post, my cloth touring top was a dirty dark gray faded from perhaps 20 plus years of use. (see initial pictures)
Lessons learned using RIT black dye
First clean the top and let dry, installed and stretched a few days
Make the solution 2 to 3 times concentrated by mixing it in boiling water
Do NOT add salt to the solution as suggested. The salt crystals will show up in the cloth after drying
Cover all seats etc
I found the most efficient way to apply was a conventional spray gun set for maximum liquid flow at the minimum air volume setting at the air gun to allow good liquid spray from the gun with minimum over spray
First coats (3) just soaked in and disappeared
Next 4 coats done over a period of days the top got rapidly darker and the dye did not soak in rapidly
Also using spray was able to do inside of top easily
After drying a few days put camp dry water repellant on
End product looks much better
Also wear cheap plastic gloves. The dye does also dye skin very efficiently


initial faded top first test coat notice slight blackening along top edge finished product finished product


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve McClelland on Saturday, November 02, 2013 - 08:19 am:

David
Looks like it did the trick very well that may be what happens to my model a top.....?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Adam Doleshal on Saturday, November 02, 2013 - 11:33 am:

I remember the previous post... I had no idea your top was plain canvas until I saw these photos...

Did I miss that part in the previous post?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Saturday, November 02, 2013 - 05:19 pm:

The top looks good! I'm proud of you.
Thank you for posting the update!
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By R.V. Anderson on Saturday, November 02, 2013 - 07:59 pm:

Sure looks nice; you did a good job; but I have to ask: Did you use some kind of UV resistant dye "fix agent?" Standard RIT dye is not lightfast and will fade fairly rapidly in direct sunlight.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gene Carrothers Huntington Beach on Saturday, November 02, 2013 - 08:09 pm:

David, Thanks for posting.

Wow that top looks new now! I wondering about what RVA said and how it'll do in a lot of sun?

Those seats sure are White. Ever think of the same for them? Looks good though


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Kriegel Mishawaka Indiana on Sunday, November 03, 2013 - 07:56 am:

R.V no, did not know about a fix agent. Rats This is what is so wonderful about the forum. Years from now someone will read your post and say, "wow, better add a fix agent!" There is so much good advice to be found on these pages !


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By R.V. Anderson on Sunday, November 03, 2013 - 03:24 pm:

Well, the good news is that now that you know how it's done, you can re-do it when it does fade beyond what you can tolerate!


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