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Kaminoan · 19-February-06, 03:28 PM

Hello guys,

I need some help. I am a Lego customizer who uses creates and uses waterslide decals like crazy:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/ga...cgi?m=Kaminoan Lego makes most of the parts in the colors I want, but lately I have been pushing the limit and have run into issues where Lego doesn't make the color I want and the solution, "Vinyl Dye," or so I thought.

I have been working on a new custom where I need a light blue color and RIT dye which has worked in the past has not worked for me for this color. I have looked for a commercial color of light blue vinyl dye and have been unable to locate it locally at all, but I was able to find a custom auto paint mixing store where I purchased some "vinyl dye." Custom color, but the can reads R-M Diamont C2S SB004.10 (color) Now comes the issues. I know that I have not applied it at the correct temperatures as it is cold outside and I have been working in the garage, but this was more of a test than anything else. Under these conditions it seems to be working more like paint and less like dye. I can scratch it off with my thumbnail, although there is less build up that when I paint a brick so it is better than paint, but it isn't absorbing into the plastic. I have contacted a friend who has successfull used vinyl dye to color Lego elements and he has told me that the primarily component in the dye he uses is acetone. The primary component in my is n-butyl acetate, but it also contains a lot of some pretty hazardous reagents (Benzene and Xylene). I have to dilute the stuff I use and place it in the two part spray can. I was wondering if I could mix in some acetone to get the desired effect and if you have ever done anything like this before? Or is it really the temperature that is the issue? Do you have any advice on mixing this stuff? Currently I am thinning the dye with 2 parts of thinner to 1 part of dye. It appears the thinner is made of the same components as the dye (no Acetone). Any thoughts you have would be greatly appreciated as this stuff was fairly expensive (dye + thinner + sprayer was $50) so I would really like to get it to work. Thanks in advance.

Jared

19-February-06, 03:28 PM		#1 (permalink)
Kaminoan Apex Techie Wannabe	Vinyl Dye vs Lego ABS Hello guys, I need some help. I am a Lego customizer who uses creates and uses waterslide decals like crazy: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/ga...cgi?m=Kaminoan Lego makes most of the parts in the colors I want, but lately I have been pushing the limit and have run into issues where Lego doesn't make the color I want and the solution, "Vinyl Dye," or so I thought. I have been working on a new custom where I need a light blue color and RIT dye which has worked in the past has not worked for me for this color. I have looked for a commercial color of light blue vinyl dye and have been unable to locate it locally at all, but I was able to find a custom auto paint mixing store where I purchased some "vinyl dye." Custom color, but the can reads R-M Diamont C2S SB004.10 (color) Now comes the issues. I know that I have not applied it at the correct temperatures as it is cold outside and I have been working in the garage, but this was more of a test than anything else. Under these conditions it seems to be working more like paint and less like dye. I can scratch it off with my thumbnail, although there is less build up that when I paint a brick so it is better than paint, but it isn't absorbing into the plastic. I have contacted a friend who has successfull used vinyl dye to color Lego elements and he has told me that the primarily component in the dye he uses is acetone. The primary component in my is n-butyl acetate, but it also contains a lot of some pretty hazardous reagents (Benzene and Xylene). I have to dilute the stuff I use and place it in the two part spray can. I was wondering if I could mix in some acetone to get the desired effect and if you have ever done anything like this before? Or is it really the temperature that is the issue? Do you have any advice on mixing this stuff? Currently I am thinning the dye with 2 parts of thinner to 1 part of dye. It appears the thinner is made of the same components as the dye (no Acetone). Any thoughts you have would be greatly appreciated as this stuff was fairly expensive (dye + thinner + sprayer was $50) so I would really like to get it to work. Thanks in advance. Jared Last edited by Kaminoan; 19-February-06 at 03:38 PM..