markras
New Member
Hi all. I'm considering the possibility of changing my boat's colour scheme. Rather than buy new canvas, does anybody know of a successful colourfast method of using dye on canvas?
can you dye canvas?
- Thread starter markras
- Start date
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
Yes, but need to prepare the fabric before hand to take the dye. If the fabric is not canvas but man made, you will need to identify the fabric as the dying method will vary by material. Preparation of the fabric beforehand is essential to dye take up
dickh
Well-Known Member
It can only de done successfully on natural materials ie cotton, linen, flax etc. If it is acrylic or PVC then it is more difficult. The chances are that even if you prepare it correctly as brendans says it will probably not be successful, may be streaky and probably start fading from the UV from the sun.
alex_rhind
New Member
Chances are you will first need to remove the original colour, unless you are going from, eg navy to black.
That or risk colour mixing - not a good idea I should think. Plus it really needs to be a natural fibre like cotton to have any chance of taking well - man-mades take dye very patchily on the whole. Many modern sail covers are acrylic canvas. Your covers could look like a multi-coloured piebald horse.
And I've never met a wholly stable consumer dye. It will probably leak colour for a bit.
My advice - don't do it!
That or risk colour mixing - not a good idea I should think. Plus it really needs to be a natural fibre like cotton to have any chance of taking well - man-mades take dye very patchily on the whole. Many modern sail covers are acrylic canvas. Your covers could look like a multi-coloured piebald horse.
And I've never met a wholly stable consumer dye. It will probably leak colour for a bit.
My advice - don't do it!
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
read his other posts on the subject. The material is man-made but he doesn't know what. Dying some man made materials is possbible, but depends on the exact material which he doesn't know. Some man made materials can be dyed if preparation is done before hand, though it takes hot dying with acid dyes. Some materials just won't take the dye. As I've told him many times. Hopefully he will take the time to have the material identified professionally before he proceeds
Shanta
Active Member
Read the article on canvas types which was in PBO recently, sorry don't have it to hand. You really are best to get new items made as it's doubtfull if you will get a satisfactory finnish and the colour certainly won't last as long. Why not change it one piece at a time.
Also how old is it all ? are you sure it's worth keeping and the bother of dyeing ? Is it all in good condition. stitching, zips etc.
Also how old is it all ? are you sure it's worth keeping and the bother of dyeing ? Is it all in good condition. stitching, zips etc.