Rit dye for coloring epoxy?

C

coldsteelburns

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Aug 2, 2010
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Hey guys, I just picked up a small box of "Rit dye" to use for coloring my epoxy. I bought black, as it's the only color I'm interested in using at the moment (not sure it makes a difference). It is a powder dye btw.. (I'm not sure if that brand it comes in any other form). I was using black oil leather dye to color my epoxy, but it's such a mess as the bottle spilled a little bit in the bag it is stored in and has pretty much covered the bottle ( :thumbdn: ) , so now everytime I take it out to use it I get black oil dye everywhere, and for only using such a small amount just to dye epoxy, it's just a not worth the hassle. But yea, I was wondering if anybody here has used Rit dye successfully for this purpose.. For example, does it turn the epoxy a nice solid black?.. Also, does it contain anything in it that could affect the strength and performance of the epoxy?.. I'm using J-flex epoxy FWIW. Thanks :)

~Paul
My YT Channel Lsubslimed
 
It will leave granules of the powder in your epoxy most likely. I've tried the powder and the liquid neither worked very well. On my test blobs on a piece of paper the liquid definitely cause a softening of the cured epoxy. You're better off buying the actual powdered epoxy dye. I've been using fairly successfully the paint tint from Hardware Hank. Just at their paint counter you can buy the tint for like an ounce or 35 cents an ounce of something like that. Has been working pretty well for me.
 
I know someone one here is using ochre, I added it to my notes when I read his post :D

I think his name is Peter, I only know him as the guy making the knife with the beautiful sheath with inlaid wood. Perhaps he will chime in with his experience using it. I bought food coloring but it never dawned on me that it could cause the epoxy to lose its rigidity! Learn something new every day.
 
Go to a ceramics/pottery supply store on line and buy a package of black iron oxide. It is very inexpensive and will last for many years. A pinch will color you your epoxy jet black. Just mix it very well and you will have no problems. Also good for other uses, such as mixing in varnish to fill the pores in open pore wood such as red oak.
 
You can use almost anything to dye epoxy...but if you want dye with consistent color, without grit in it, and no curing soft spots...use epoxy dye. I get the powdered type from K&G or liquid from the local West System store. The powder takes only a toothpick tip dip to dye the epoxy for a handle glue up.
 
I use graphite powder that I found in the key cutting section of a hardware store. It's branded as a lock lubricant. Works very well in small quantities.

From west system website:

For colors other than white or gray, powdered pigments (tempera paint, colored tile grout, aniline dyes) and universal tinting pigment can be added to the epoxy mixture. Acrylic paste pigments (avail- able from marine chandleries) are also used to tint the mixture, as long as they are specified for use with polyester or epoxy resin. 423 Graphite Powder will color the epoxy black or impart darker shades to colors.
Generally, coloring agents can be added to the mixed epoxy up to 5% by volume with minimal effect on the cured epoxy’s strength.
 
The powder dyes for epoxy that K&G sells works super and they stock black, red, yellow, white, green and tan. I have used acrylic artists paint for difficult burl wood fill in but it makes the epoxy rubbery and can only be used for filling small voids in burl. Buy the K&G powder made just for epoxy and while your ordering get some of their green chrome buffing compound. Larry
 
I completely agree with Larry. I mainly use black, white, red, and tan. These can be mixed to match almost any wood.
 
Had one jar of Black powder dye from K&G for over 12yrs and still has some left. Works perfect every time and you need very very little.
Great bargain in my book. No mystery results on that blade you just spent hour working on!
If you want you can always mix up your own custom color using several colors. K&G yep and if you use their slow cure 24hr epoxy it is a cream color perfect alone for bonding antler!
 
Awesome, thanks for all the great replies, I was just curious if the Rit dye worked cause you can find it at most stores and I just got some.. I'll make sure ta get something proper next time I order some supplies, until then, black oil leather dye :( :thumbdn: lol Thanks again :)

~Paul
My YT Channel Lsubslimed
 
Acrylic paint for me too, but mainly cause the better half has pretty much every color known to man...or woman. ;)
 
CSB,

Another option is to look for fiberglass suppliers in your area. Where you live there must be some. They usually sell pigments for tinting different types of resin, epoxy included.

good luck

Jeff
 
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