JoeCanuck

I just did some experience with Rit Dye.

My goal: Build my own Blue S.N.A.K.E. army (like the regular 1985 one), but for cheap 

My objectives:

• Learn to use Rit Dye
• See if only soft plastic takes Rit Dye

Here is what I did:

• I took a regular 1983 White SNAKE
• I removed all the stickers ans used Goo Gone to remove the glue
• I wash it with soap
• Then I rub it with finger nail polish remover (that contains acetone). The plastic becomes softer.
• I choose to use Navy blue Rit Dye in powder... it wasn't my first choice to select the powder version instead of liquid... but Rit Dye looks like a little bit difficult to find in Quebec since Wallmart is not holding it anymore and Zellers is closing... Navy Blue is the perfect match to get the 1985 Blue S.N.A.K.E.
• Then, I made my soup mix... at first, I just put in water and Rit Dye until water was boiling.
• I introduce only one part first... just in case something was wrong. My part turn purple quite fast.
• Since purple wasn't the colour I was looking for I add more powder... It's a game of trying and error here...

Here is the end result:



S.N.A.K.E. #1 is the regular 1985 Blue S.N.A.K.E.
S.N.A.K.E. #2 is my custom
S.N.A.K.E. #3 is the ROC Black S.N.A.K.E. to see the difference of colour

Here is a close-up:


The camera is not showing it perfectly, but it has a "bronze/metallic" effect. I'm far from the Navy blue I was looking for, but at least it does make a good primer. So, instead painting from White, this darker purple will reduce the number of paint coat.


My conclusions:

• Not only soft plastic takes Rit Dye. Even the company is using Dye for plastic (http://www.ritdye.com/content/dyed-buttons) so we are not so "special" using it for our toys
• Pretty easy to do.
• One thing I didn't realized, is the quantity of power is important. It's not something to do by the eye. Based on Colour formula guide (http://www.ritdye.com/colorit_color_formula_guide#color_guide=2088), 2 TBS Royal Blue makes colour #592 (darker) while 1 Tbs Royal Blue makes Royal Blue (lighter). So I probably put too much powder in it.
• Glove is a must have 

Questions I still have:

• Since I didn't get to colour I was looking for, can I Rit Dye it again with a lighter blue like Royal Blue?
• If I want to start over, can I use this: http://www.ritdye.com/store/laundry-first-aid/color-remover-group It says "Removes or reduces fabric color before dyeing to a different or lighter color."

What do you think?

Join us: http://www.joecanuck.com/jc/index.php?topic=6408.0

Martin

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So, before I get the WTF comment... yes, I know, we are here on JoeCanuck, not Yojoe... but still, I wanted to know what you guys are thinking about this new formula? Interesting or not?

Right now, I'm not too sure about this. From what I can see, a seller will need to assume the 0.99  cents / 2.5% fee per transaction + Paypal fees... or will add this to his price. So it will look like eBay...

Martin

Hey guys,

Remember the previous years how we were asking questions about the set, trying to figure what the set would be? I asked Mike and he was ready to play that game again!!

So, until we get the team is ready to show pictures of this year set, we can ask question about the set... so let's pay and have fun!

I will start first 

What is this year theme (if any?) for the set (Marine, Winter, Air, etc.)?

Can't wait to get few more information!

Martin

Hi,

I always liked Recondo and especially his second version:



In fact, since I'm not into Tiger force, I would like to convert this version into Night force. So, his waist and legs would need to be changed. What waist/combo would you recommend to avoid (as much as possible) painting and would match his torso?

I thought about Patfinder's waist and legs:



What do you think?

Martin

It looks pretty amazing: http://djtoys.muchtobuy.com/cobra_base.html

Martin