So You Want to Dye Some Stock Class Paintball Tubes?

Dyeing ten round tubes (and other stuff!) is a fun and easy way to personalize your tubes, the possibilities are endless.

All of these Items have been dyed using the below procedure

    First, you’re going to need some materials:

-Large, old pot

-Tubes (can’t forget these!)

-Towels, paper towels, newspaper, etc.

-Plastic bags

-Tongs or something similar

-Gloves (Highly recommended)

-RIT Dye (Liquid or Powder version)

-Stove

-Sink nearby

-Water

-Old clothes and/or an apron

For the pot, I would recommend an old Stainless Steel pot. I have used this kind, and it does not seem to ruin the pot. However,      still make sure to use an unwanted pot. The gloves are so you do not burn or dye yourself, and like stated above, they are highly recommended. If it is warm outside, try using a heating device that plugs in and could be used outside.

The Process:

The process of dyeing tubes is really very simple. First, put on your old clothes and/or apron if you have not already. Pair of shop goggles is also a good idea; the package clearly warns that the product contains salt, which is an eye irritant. You don’t want it splashing into your eyes. Next, you will have to fill up your pot with the desired amount of water. No more than 3 gallons, depending on the pot size. You can measure how much water you are putting in by using a milk carton or something similar. Put the pot on a large burner and let it heat up. In the middle of heating, put in the RIT dye. You will have to experiment with ratios of dye to water, because there is no set ratio. Remember-RIT dye is really a fabric dye. About half a bottle of liquid dye per two gallons of water should be fine. Don’t be afraid to add more dye as needed. The powder version may be a bit harder to use, as it has to dissolve. In the past I have just used one packet and it worked fine. While the mixture is heating, cover the surrounding areas with newspaper. Under the newspaper, put some plastic bags. When I say cover, I mean cover-even if it means taping newspaper to the surrounding walls. RIT Dye WILL dye surrounding objects if it splashes. DO NOT put the newspaper too close to the burner. Have the towels in reach. If the dye splashes, you will be able to wipe it up really quick, preventing stains. At this time, put on your gloves, put your tongs close by, and get ready to dye some tubes.

The key to dyeing tubes is temperature and time. The water should be at or just under a very slight boil. Too high of a temperature will make the tubes too soft and they will lose their shape. However, too low of a temperature and the tubes will take forever to dye. There is no set time for dyeing tubes, so make sure you have nothing planned. You may find yourself sitting next to a pot of hot water for hours. You must remember to be patient.

When you reach the desired temperature, start putting tubes into the mixture. Stir regularly so the tubes do not just sit in one spot. You don’t want half dyed tubes, now do you? Be careful when adding tubes, because if you just drop them in, the dye will splash and make a mess. Stay by the pot and do not leave to make sure nothing goes wrong. Every once in a while, take out a tube using the tongs. Grab a towel and hold it under the tube while you carefully carry the tube to the sink. Rinse the tube off and inspect the color. If you like it, set it aside. If not, put it back into the pot. Continue this process until all tubes are done.

Now it is time for the cleanup, how fun. Turn off the stove and let the pot and water cool down for a bit. Meanwhile, wash off the tubes in the sink. Wash them until dye stops coming off. Not much dye should come off, if any, as the dyeing process is permanent. After that, it should be fine to take off your gloves. Carefully remove all of the newspaper and plastic. By now the pot should be cool. Take it off of the stove carefully and look for a spot to dump it. Somewhere in your far backyard should be OK. (Editors note: RIT dye does not specify proper disposal, however they include “washing machine” instructions for fabric in their packaging, so it would be safe to assume it is not harmful to plumbing.) Finally, stand back and double check your work area for splotches of dye, a product containing bleach lift soft scrub can take care of any remaining spots, be sure to follow their package directions and read their warnings first so you don’t ruin your counter top.

    Don’t be afraid to experiment:

• -Experiment with ratios of dye to water.

• -Try taping off areas of your tubes for a striped or spiral pattern

• -Don’t stop at just tubes! You can dye delrin plastic, PVC, hoppers, pods, caps, and of course fabric.

• -Try color combinations

• -Try getting tubes to sink. This darkens the color greatly.

     Colors will probably never come out the same as the colors on the package.

• -Black will make blue.

• -Dark green will make blue in most cases.

• -Red will probably make pink.

This small guide is only for tubes. PVC and delrin will actually come out black when trying to make black. This may be because the plastics are heavier and they sink, but who knows?

Have fun and don’t make too big of a mess. Remember to experiment.

Thanks to Chemical X, easix6, Mithrandir, and others from  www.stockclasspaintball.com and other message boards and internet website which I have learned.

(Pictures will be added soon)