Rit Dye Removal and Re-Dye

flarp · Dec 16, 2012

Hoping to tap into some knowledge/experience from people that have done this before... In short, I have a yellow Mini-Griptilian that's been dyed one color already. I'm trying to remove the dye and re-dye a different color.

I've read various posts about possibly using Rit color remover (laundry treatment powder) or chlorine bleach to remove the existing dye. I've seen these suggested, but no real confirmation as to whether or not they actually work (or if the chemicals will affect the handle material). Has anyone tried removing Rit dye from knife handles using one of these (or some other) methods? How did it turn out?

I'm trying to re-dye the handles green (like DD1 did to his Spyderhawk here). Any idea what shade of Rit dye would yield such a result?

Thanks for any insight anyone has to offer.

Curtis_Lowe · Dec 16, 2012

Doesn't yellow and blue make green?

edit: err whoops is your grip yellow or do you mean you already dyed your yellow grip a different color?

flarp · Dec 17, 2012

The original handle color is yellow. I actually got the knife in a trade, and the previous owner had dyed it a light orange. I'm trying to remove that dye, so I can dye it a different color.

I figured some shade of blue plus the yellow would make green, but there are a several different blue dyes and even more formulas for how to get different shades of green (http://www.ritdye.com/colorit_color_formula_guide). I considered trial and error, but part of that would mean I need some way to remove the dyes from failed trials. I just figured if somebody here had some experience, I could try to benefit from their knowledge.

ryxlyx · Dec 17, 2012

Rit dye remover works on the 6/6 nylon that's used for BM backspacers, but has no affect on either G10 nor Noryl-- noryl is the composite used on the BM 522 scales (where I've tried it)-- I believe the Grip scales are also noryl?

Swoop03 · Dec 17, 2012

ryxlyx said:
Rit dye remover works on the 6/6 nylon that's used for BM backspacers, but has no affect on either G10 nor Noryl-- noryl is the composite used on the BM 522 scales (where I've tried it)-- I believe the Grip scales are also noryl?

Yes the grip scales are noryl.

pwet · Dec 17, 2012

ryxlyx said:
Rit dye remover works on the 6/6 nylon that's used for BM backspacers, but has no affect on either G10 nor Noryl-- noryl is the composite used on the BM 522 scales (where I've tried it)-- I believe the Grip scales are also noryl?

You tried removing the black factory color with rit dye remover, it didn't work, but does that mean that the remover won't remove fit dye from lighter colored scales ?

Not sure if it makes sense, its clear in my head at least.

flarp · Dec 17, 2012

I'm not trying to remove the factory dye (yellow). I'm trying to remove the orange/red dye that was put on it by the previous owner. My plan is to then dunk it in blue dye to make it green.

According to Benchmade, the black handles are Noryl GTX, but the other colors are Grivory. http://www.benchmade.com/products/551
At least that's on the full-size Grip. It doesn't mention anything on the mini-Grip pages.

ryxlyx · Dec 18, 2012

flarp said:
I'm not trying to remove the factory dye (yellow). I'm trying to remove the orange/red dye that was put on it by the previous owner. My plan is to then dunk it in blue dye to make it green.

According to Benchmade, the black handles are Noryl GTX, but the other colors are Grivory. http://www.benchmade.com/products/551
At least that's on the full-size Grip. It doesn't mention anything on the mini-Grip pages.

I would imagine that added dye would be removable, haven't been in a situation to try that. There's no risk to your scales, give it a whirl.