Dyeing canvas - suggestions please?

[peter2407]

I have changed the colour livery of the boat from an 80's deep red to a more modern Britannia blue (dark blue). I have had the canvas recut professionally and I am really please with it. I would like to avoid throwing the old canvas out so was thinking about dyeing the various bits into the same or similar colour. I have tried a 'wash in the machine' Dylon dye, but it didn't make any difference. Any suggestions please? TIA.

 

[VicS]

I have changed the colour livery of the boat from an 80's deep red to a more modern Britannia blue (dark blue). I have had the canvas recut professionally and I am really please with it. I would like to avoid throwing the old canvas out so was thinking about dyeing the various bits into the same or similar colour. I have tried a 'wash in the machine' Dylon dye, but it didn't make any difference. Any suggestions please? TIA.

What color is it now and what colour are you hoping to dye it. Deep red to dark blue ??? I reckon if that's the case you wll have to bleach the existing colour.

What is the fabric. Cotton you can dye but I dont think you will dye synthetics with any great deal of success.

 

[Quandary]

As Vic says, you are starting with the wrong colour, if you can find a dye that takes you might manage to go from deep red to black, but blue, I think no chance.
Imagine it was paint no matter what shades you added it would never finish up blue and I do not think bleaching would improve acrylic canvas.

 

[lenten]

as an ex commercial dyer ----its too complicated ----don t bother

 

[peter2407]

Thanks all. I will stop wasting my time. Thanks for the sage advice.

 

[Neeves]

We don't know what 'canvas' you have, its likely to be synthetic and the colour fast. But cut a very small piece off - and if it bleaches - you are lucky and can dye is almost any colour you like. Otherwise you are on hiding to nothing.

Jonathan

 

[Seashoreman]

I would try Renovo Dark Blue. Had great results myself.

 

[peter2407]

daft question - how do I bleach it?

 

[VicS]

daft question - how do I bleach it?

You still have not told us what the "canvas" is . Sails, covers, .... ? Or what the fabric is. Cotton, polyester, acrylic . some modern hi-tech stuff ....... ?

I'd assumed sails and probably polyester but others seem to think acrylic , presumably covers.

 

[Neeves]

Normal domestic bleach - you buy it in the laundry section of your supermarket. I'm not sure how small a bottle, its a liquid, you can buy, 1l ? If it works, and its an off chance, then you need to experiment with concentrations - you don't want to be too aggressive. Keep off your clothes (it will remove any colour from a natural fabric - you have been warned!) and eyes, keep away from children. its not expensive (or I would not suggest it!).

Jonathan

 

[macd]

I have tried a 'wash in the machine' Dylon dye, but it didn't make any difference.

From Dylon's website: "Synthetic fabrics cannot be dyed (at least not domestically)"

 

[Neeves]

Which suggests, from results achieved - its synthetic.

J

 

[peter2407]

You still have not told us what the "canvas" is . Sails, covers, .... ? Or what the fabric is. Cotton, polyester, acrylic . some modern hi-tech stuff ....... ?

I'd assumed sails and probably polyester but others seem to think acrylic , presumably covers.

Vic - apologies, this is 2 x wheel covers, not entirely sure if they are natural fibres or man made, although to the feel they seem to be man made. Made by Sanders of Lymington possibly 10+ years ago (previous owner, the docs are on the boat so I can't check immediately). I have poured regular household bleach (undiluted) onto a piece that I don't want to keep. no immediate effect but lets see. thanks again.

 

[VicS]

Vic - apologies, this is 2 x wheel covers, not entirely sure if they are natural fibres or man made, although to the feel they seem to be man made. Made by Sanders of Lymington possibly 10+ years ago (previous owner, the docs are on the boat so I can't check immediately). I have poured regular household bleach (undiluted) onto a piece that I don't want to keep. no immediate effect but lets see. thanks again.

Very probably acrylic canvas although could be cotton. Hypochlorite bleach does not have any detrimental effects on acrylic canvas as far as I know but if the colour is not quickly bleached then it probably wont be even on prolonged treatment.

 

[macd]

Which suggests, from results achieved - its synthetic.

Clothing aside, I doubt that many of us have much by way of natural fibres above deck these days.

 

[thinwater]

I wonder if there is a paint that is an option. I don't mean house paint. Vovlo boats have painted sails--it's been a long time since logos were sewn or glued on. Fabric aircraft are painted.