Methods for Coloring Lacquer to Make Paints and Toners

Why Create Colored Lacquers From Clear Lacquer?

Lacquer is a hard fast-drying finish that can be applied to wood or metal. It dries quickly and cures to a hard durable finish. If it's not clear, lacquer is typically black or white. By adding colorants, you can create either an opaque lacquer type paint or a transparent toner to add a pop of color!

One might ask, "Why would I even want to bother with adding pigments, tints, and dies to clear lacquer? Well, the short answer would be because you can. But seriously folks, it is getting harder and harder to locate satisfactory quality, fast-drying solvent-based finishing products. If you do find them, they are marginalized to being "specialty products" for which companies charge exorbitant prices. I always try to use waterborne nontoxic finishes when able, but sometimes, an old fashion solvent spray paint that dries completely in minutes is the magic ticket. I hope these ideas to color lacquer help you to add fun colors to your projects.

Krylon Spray Paint Before 2006

Krylon used to make an acrylic lacquer spray paint that would dry in minutes, and you could re-coat anytime. With all the regulations concerning volatile organics, Krylon changed over to alkyd enamel around 2006. The alkyds are serviceable paints, but they have application windows which make them hard to deal with. Especially with novices. With the alkyd sprays, you need to either spray the second coat within the hour or wait at least 48 hours to re-coat. A project that might need two or possibly three coats of paint could take a week or more to complete in certain circumstances. Do not get me started on applying a clear protective finish! This article is about exploring possibilities of how an artist can get fast-drying spray finished that can be recoated in a reasonable time frame.

Pigments and Dyes

Pigments are usually fine intensely colored solids that are generally insoluble in most liquids. There are two classes of pigments, inorganic and organic. Inorganic pigments usually consist of metal oxides. Tinting strength can be variable, but these types are usually opaque. Organic pigments are usually petrochemical derivatives and are usually brightly colored. They can be opaque or transparent.

Universal Tints

Universal tints are solid pigments finely ground and then dispersed into a fluid medium for easy addition to a liquid paint or finish. The fluid in which the pigments are dispersed is usually a blend of water and a glycol ether solvent with traces of surfactant. This blend ensures that these tints can be added to either water-based or solvent-based painting mediums. When you go to the home improvement center to choose a paint color, the workers use universal pigments in pre-measured amounts to get the exact color. Most paint bases have titanium dioxide white dispersed as an opacifier. The tints adjust the color of the paint to the recipe for the desired color.

Some universal tints are transparent or translucent by themselves. Adding it directly to a clear lacquer will more than likely create a toning lacquer instead of an opaque lacquer paint. This can be useful for applying a stain to wood or over an existing finish to deepen a color and/or give more depth. Although some pigments are rather opaque, others can approach transparent qualities. Below is a photo of clear lacquer with a few drops of Mixol Blue tint on some textured steel. If the pigment particles are especially fine and there is not much pigment, the look is transparent. To create a solid deep opaque color, blending more opaque universal tints into the transparent ones would be helpful. Also, adding a dry oxide pigment to the clear lacquer base in small amounts and straining before adding universal tints might be more economical since universal tints tend to be more expensive considering tinting strength versus straight pigment powder.

Solvent Dyes

Solvent dyes are a natural fit for lacquer-based colored toners because they dissolve completely at the molecular level, producing transparent, streak-free color that highlights grain, texture, or underlying finishes rather than obscuring them. Unlike pigments, solvent dyes don’t require milling or dispersion aids, which makes them especially attractive for spray toners and wipe-on color adjustments. That said, light fastness varies widely among solvent dyes. Many bright, high-chroma dyes—especially reds, yellows, and violets—are more susceptible to UV degradation over time. To protect a dyed lacquer finish, it’s smart to pair the toner with a UV-resistant clear topcoat, preferably one containing HALS (hindered amine light stabilizers) or UV absorbers. Limiting prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and building color gradually in thin layers also helps preserve hue accuracy and slow fading.

Highly soluble solvent dyes such as Solvent Blue 67, Solvent Red 122, and Solvent Yellow 82 are particularly well suited for lacquer toners because they dissolve rapidly and cleanly in common lacquer solvent systems. Ketones (like acetone or MEK), glycol ethers, and lower alcohols provide excellent solvency, allowing these dyes to reach high color strength without precipitation or haze. This high solubility translates into predictable color builds, easy tint adjustments, and excellent spray behavior—no clogging, no settling, and no muddy undertones. Blue 67 offers deep, clean blues with impressive transparency, Red 122 delivers strong bluish reds ideal for shading and color correction, and Yellow 82 provides bright, efficient yellow tones that blend smoothly into secondary colors. When matched with the right solvent balance and protected with a durable clear coat, these dyes enable lacquer toners that are both visually striking and technically reliable.

DIY Lacquer with Paraloid Acrylic Resin

If you want better control of what is in your lacquer, you can attempt to make your own. There are low molecular weight acrylic resins called Paraloids that you can dissolve in a solvent such as MEK or Toluene to make a concentrate (30% to 40% resin) that you can thin when you need to. Paraloid resins can be found at art conservation supply houses or really well-stocked artist suppliers.

There are a few types of Paraloid resin to choose from depending on how they will be used and what solvents will be used to dissolve them. Paraloid B72 is the most common and widely available. This resin can be dissolved in toluene or acetone but the solution has a high tolerance for alcohol. This could be useful if you start with an acetone solution of Paraloid B72 and want to thin it down with denatured alcohol with the goal of trying to minimize the amount of noxious solvents like toluene and similar aromatics. Paraloid B67 is a harder resin that is soluble in hydrocarbons. With a small addition of xylene (5%), this resin will dissolve in mineral spirits or naphtha. This allows one to make a colored lacquer for surfaces that could be harmed by acetone or other harsher solvents. Also, a lacquer made with Paraloid B67 can be used with fluorescent pigments since these pigments are incompatible with acetone and similar ketone solvents.

Solvent Violet 13 Dye Powder: Deep Bluish-Purple Color for Candles and Casting Epoxy

 

Solvent Violet 13 Dye Powder: Deep Bluish-Purple Color for Candles and Casting Epoxy

When it comes to achieving rich, transparent purple tones in paraffin wax and epoxy resin, few dyes perform as consistently as Solvent Violet 13. This high-strength solvent dye is prized for its ability to dissolve cleanly in nonpolar and mildly polar systems, producing deep, luminous color without cloudiness or sediment. Whether you’re formulating premium candles or casting decorative epoxy pieces, Solvent Violet 13 offers exceptional depth and clarity.

What Is Solvent Violet 13?

Solvent Violet 13 is a synthetic solvent dye designed to dissolve at the molecular level in organic media such as waxes, oils, plastics, and resins. Unlike pigments, which remain suspended as particles, solvent dyes fully dissolve, resulting in transparent, jewel-like coloration.

Visually, Solvent Violet 13 leans toward a cool, bluish purple, avoiding the muddy red cast seen in many violet dyes. This makes it especially attractive for applications where clarity and depth are critical.

Coloring Paraffin Wax for Candles

In candle making, Solvent Violet 13 excels at coloring paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, and paraffin blends. When properly dissolved, it produces:

• Deep violet to royal purple shades

• Excellent transparency for container candles

• Minimal interference with burn characteristics

• Clean melt pools without speckling or fallout

Because paraffin wax is nonpolar, solvent dyes like Violet 13 integrate far more effectively than water-dispersible dyes or pigments. The result is a smooth, even color that remains stable through repeated heating and cooling cycles.

For candle makers seeking darker hues, Solvent Violet 13 can be used alone for a dramatic purple or blended with solvent blues and blacks to achieve aubergine, indigo-violet, or near-black tones while retaining clarity.

Deep Casting Epoxy Resin Applications

One of the standout uses for Solvent Violet 13 is in casting epoxy resin, particularly deep pours. When added to clear epoxy systems, the dye imparts an intense bluish-purple depth that becomes more pronounced as casting thickness increases.

Key benefits in epoxy resin include:

• Exceptional optical depth in thick castings

• Transparent coloration without haze

• Smooth color gradients and layering effects

• Compatibility with alcohol- and solvent-based resin systems

In deep casts, Solvent Violet 13 produces a luxurious, almost “ink-like” purple that can appear nearly black at thickness while still transmitting light at the edges. This makes it ideal for river tables, decorative blocks, jewelry castings, and artistic resin panels.

Why Choose Solvent Violet 13 Over Pigments?

Compared to purple pigments, Solvent Violet 13 offers several advantages:

• No particle settling

• Higher color strength at lower loadings

• Better transparency and depth

• Easier blending for custom shades

For artists and manufacturers who value clarity and saturation over opacity, solvent dyes remain the superior choice.

Final Thoughts

Solvent Violet 13 dye powder is a versatile, high-impact colorant for anyone working with paraffin wax candles or casting epoxy resin. Its signature deep bluish-purple tone, excellent solubility, and optical clarity make it a go-to dye for premium decorative applications. Whether you’re crafting dramatic candles or pouring resin pieces with visual depth, Solvent Violet 13 delivers professional-grade results with minimal effort.

Solvent Yellow 33: Chemical properties and Its Role in Colored Smoke Applications

 

Source: Christian Sterk

Solvent Yellow 33: Chemical Properties and Its Role in Colored Smoke Applications

Solvent Yellow 33 is a synthetic organic dye best known for its intense greenish yellow coloration and strong affinity for nonpolar systems. While it appears in a variety of industrial coloring applications, it has also gained historical attention for its role in colored smoke formulations, where its physical and chemical properties make it uniquely effective. Understanding why Solvent Yellow 33 behaves the way it does requires a closer look at its molecular structure, solubility behavior, and thermal characteristics.

Chemical Classification and Structure

Solvent Yellow 33 belongs to the azo dye family, a broad class of dyes characterized by the presence of one or more azo (–N=N–) linkages connecting aromatic rings. These extended conjugated systems are responsible for strong absorption in the visible region, producing vivid color with relatively low dye loadings.

Unlike pigments, which are engineered to be insoluble, Solvent Yellow 33 is a true molecular dye. Its aromatic backbone and limited polar functionality make it highly compatible with hydrocarbons, oils, waxes, and other nonpolar organic media. This solubility profile is central to both its industrial utility and its behavior in aerosolized systems such as smoke.

Solubility and Polarity Considerations

One of the defining chemical properties of Solvent Yellow 33 is its preference for low-polarity environments. It dissolves readily in:

• Aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons

• Oils and greases

• Waxes and resins

• Certain esters and plasticizers

By contrast, it shows negligible solubility in water and poor performance in highly polar solvents. This polarity mismatch explains why solvent dyes like Yellow 33 behave very differently from water-soluble acid or reactive dyes, even though they may share similar chromophores.

This nonpolar solubility is particularly relevant in smoke applications, where dyes must disperse efficiently into microscopic droplets or particles without decomposing or reacting with their surroundings.

Thermal Behavior and Vapor Transport

Solvent Yellow 33 is notable for its thermal stability within a narrow operating window. Rather than subliming cleanly like some lower-molecular-weight dyes, it is typically transported as a fine aerosol when exposed to elevated temperatures. In colored smoke contexts, this allows the dye to be carried into the air as microscopic colored particles rather than breaking down into colorless fragments.

Importantly, the dye’s molecular weight and aromatic structure help it retain color intensity even after brief exposure to heat. This balance—stable enough to survive thermal stress, yet mobile enough to disperse—is a key reason it was historically selected over many other yellow dyes.

Optical Properties and Color Strength

From an optical standpoint, Solvent Yellow 33 exhibits:

• High molar absorptivity

• Strong yellow-orange hue

• Good visibility under diffuse lighting

These traits are essential for smoke coloration, where light scattering can rapidly desaturate weak dyes. The extended conjugation of the azo system allows Solvent Yellow 33 to maintain chromatic strength even when highly dispersed.

Use in Colored Smoke: A Materials Perspective

Historically, Solvent Yellow 33 has been used in colored smoke compositions because it meets several demanding criteria simultaneously:

1. Oil and wax compatibility, allowing uniform dispersion

2. Adequate thermal tolerance during aerosol generation

3. High color payoff at low concentrations

4. Predictable particle coloration, rather than chemical reaction-based color formation

It’s important to note that this use is primarily discussed today in a historical, regulatory, or materials-science context. Modern formulations increasingly favor alternative dyes due to evolving safety and environmental standards.

Safety, Handling, and Regulatory Notes

Like many azo dyes, Solvent Yellow 33 carries toxicological considerations, particularly regarding inhalation of fine particles and combustion byproducts. As a result, its use is regulated in many jurisdictions, and it is not approved for cosmetic, food, or consumer aerosol applications.

From a chemical handling standpoint, it should always be treated as an industrial dye, with appropriate controls to limit dust formation and exposure. Its presence in smoke-related discussions underscores the importance of understanding dye chemistry—not as a recipe, but as a lesson in how molecular properties influence real-world performance.

Solvent Dyes vs. Pigments in Smoke Systems

Solvent Yellow 33 also serves as a useful comparison point when discussing the broader distinction between solvent dyes and pigments. Pigments rely on solid-state scattering and remain chemically inert, while solvent dyes like Yellow 33 operate at the molecular level, dissolving into carriers and forming colored aerosols. This fundamental difference explains why solvent dyes historically dominated smoke coloration despite their handling challenges.

Final Thoughts

Solvent Yellow 33 is a compelling example of how chemical structure, polarity, and thermal behavior intersect to determine material performance. Its historical use in colored smoke highlights the importance of selecting dyes based not just on color, but on solubility, stability, and transport mechanisms. For chemists, artists, and materials specialists alike, it remains a valuable case study in applied dye chemistry.

 

Why Solvent Polarity Matters More Than You Think When Working with Solvent Dyes

Understanding solvent polarity is the key to better color strength, stability, and performance

When working with solvent dyes—whether for inks, coatings, plastics, candles, or metal finishes—many people focus on a single question: Does the dye dissolve? If the answer is yes, the formulation moves forward. Unfortunately, this oversimplification is responsible for many common failures involving poor color strength, instability, blooming, migration, or uneven coloration.

The real issue is solvent polarity, and it plays a much larger role than most people realize. Remember a dye is a chemical not just a color.  This means it has a molecular structure that determines its solubility and other properties.

Solvent dyes are not pigments

Unlike pigments, which remain suspended as solid particles, solvent dyes dissolve on a molecular level. This means the interaction between the dye molecule and the solvent system is critical. Solvent polarity determines not only whether a dye dissolves, but how completely, how stably, and how predictably it behaves over time.

A dye that appears soluble at first may still be poorly matched to the solvent system. The result can be slow dissolution, weak color intensity, haze, or precipitation after cooling or aging.

“Oil soluble” does not mean nonpolar

Many solvent dyes are marketed as “oil soluble,” which often leads users to assume that any low-polarity solvent—or wax—will work. In reality, solvent dyes exist along a polarity spectrum.

• Some solvent dyes are relatively polar and dissolve best in alcohols, glycol ethers, ketones, or esters

• Others are genuinely nonpolar and perform better in aromatic hydrocarbons like toluene or xylene

• Paraffinic solvents, mineral spirits, and waxes often fall into a gray area where polarity mismatch becomes an issue

A dye may technically dissolve in a low-polarity medium but do so inefficiently, leading to poor color saturation or long-term instability.

Why co-solvents improve solvent dye performance

This is where co-solvents become extremely valuable. Adding a small amount of a more polar solvent—such as a glycol ether or ester—can dramatically improve dye solubility and solution stability.

The co-solvent acts as a molecular bridge, improving compatibility between the dye and the bulk solvent or binder. Benefits include:

• Faster dissolution

• Stronger, cleaner color

• Reduced haze or crystallization

• Improved long-term stability

This approach is commonly used in professional ink, coating, and plastic formulations but is often overlooked in small-scale or experimental work.

A good example of this is using solvent red 49, a xanthene class of dye, to paraffin candle wax.  This particular dye is fairly polar and dissolves in solvent like acetone, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol. Adding solvent red 49 to paraffin wax neat creates a polarity mismatch.  But, if you dissolve solvent 49 in melted stearic acid as a co-solvent, it dissolves to a much higher degree due to the polar carboxylate group.  The long hydrocarbon chain helps stearic acid blend seamlessly with wax.

Solvent polarity and dye migration

Polarity mismatch also contributes to dye migration and bleeding. A dye that is not well-matched to its environment may slowly move out of the matrix, especially under heat or UV exposure. This can cause staining, color shift, or surface blooming weeks or months after application.

Proper solvent polarity matching helps keep the dye molecularly “comfortable,” significantly reducing migration and long-term defects.

Solvent selection is a design decision

Choosing a solvent system is not just about evaporation rate, odor, or safety. It is a molecular compatibility decision. Treating solvent polarity as an afterthought leads to unnecessary trial and error. Treating it as a design parameter leads to consistent, professional results.

If solvent dyes seem finicky, it’s not because they’re unreliable—it’s because they’re honest. They will always reveal whether the solvent system was chosen correctly.

Modern Desktop Sculpture: Handcrafted Painted Wood Number Seven on Steel Base

 

Modern Desktop Sculpture: Handcrafted Painted Wood Number Seven on Steel Base

Small sculptures have a unique power: they don’t dominate a room, but they anchor it. This modern desktop sculpture—a bold, freestanding number 7 crafted from painted wood and mounted on a minimalist steel base—is a perfect example of how strong form, color, and proportion can create presence without excess.

A Study in Shape, Balance, and Color

The sculpture features a stylized number seven with gently curved geometry and crisp edges, finished in a vivid turquoise blue. The color is clean, saturated, and contemporary, offering a sharp contrast against the neutral tones of a desk, shelf, or studio workspace.

Mounted on a slender black steel rod and square steel base, the piece achieves visual lift and balance. The elevated presentation gives the wooden form a floating quality, drawing the eye upward while keeping the footprint compact—ideal for desktops, bookshelves, or display cabinets.

Handcrafted Materials with Industrial Contrast

This piece combines painted wood and steel, creating a dialogue between organic and industrial materials:

• Painted wood form – smooth, solid, and tactile, with subtle surface character that reveals its handmade origin
• Steel rod and base – rigid, matte black, and understated, providing stability without distraction

The contrast between the soft curves of the wood and the strict geometry of the steel base gives the sculpture a modern, architectural feel.

Compact Size, Strong Presence

Designed as a small desktop sculpture, this artwork fits easily into personal spaces while still commanding attention. Its scale makes it perfect for:

• Office desks and creative studios
• Modern home décor and minimalist interiors
• Art shelves, mantels, or side tables
• Gifts for designers, artists, and collectors

Despite its size, the bold color and iconic numeric form ensure it doesn’t get lost visually.

Symbolism of the Number Seven

The number seven carries rich symbolic meaning across cultures—often associated with completion, creativity, intuition, and balance. Whether interpreted numerically, symbolically, or purely as abstract form, the sculpture invites personal interpretation, making it more than just an object—it becomes a conversation piece.

A Modern Accent for Contemporary Spaces

This handcrafted wooden sculpture works especially well in:

• Modern and minimalist interiors
• Industrial or loft-style spaces
• Creative work environments
• Art-forward home offices

Its clean silhouette and restrained base allow it to complement a wide range of styles without overpowering them.

Why This Desktop Sculpture Stands Out

• Handcrafted from painted wood
• Mounted on a durable steel base
• Bold turquoise color with modern appeal
• Compact, stable, and display-ready
• Abstract yet recognizable form

This is a sculpture meant to be lived with—seen daily, appreciated over time, and interpreted differently depending on the viewer.

 

How to Dye Acrylic Plastic

Acrylic Plastic

Acrylic plastic—both in extruded and cast forms—contributes a unique beauty to jewelry and sculpted art and décor.

In this article, I will discuss the various steps and techniques in dyeing acrylics to create something even more spectacular, including the following:

• materials needed
• safety concerns
• use of dye carriers
• the methods of dyeing clear acrylic plastic
• examples of work from other creators featuring dyed acrylics

Why Dye Plexiglass and Acrylic Plastic?

If you do an online search for acrylic sheets or Plexiglass, you will find that it comes in many sizes, thicknesses, and even textures. Also, acrylic sheets can be found in several colors that are transparent, translucent, mirrored, or opaque. So why would anyone want to deal with the hassle and mess of trying to dye clear acrylic plastic?

• The dyes can be mixed in any proportion to produce an almost infinite array of colors.
• By controlling dye concentration, heat input, and immersion time, you can dial in the necessary intensity of color to a point.
• Clear acrylic is cheaper than colored and available in many thicknesses.
• It is possible to partially immerse objects to create interesting decorative coloring.

Tools and Materials Needed

Most of the tools and materials needed to dye acrylic can be found around the home or easily obtained from local stores.

• Disperse dye specifically made for synthetic materials
• Portable hot plate
• Stainless steel pot, an enameled pan, or a Pyrex glass container that is no longer used for food preparation
• Thermometer
• Stirring rod
• String or pliers to remove the dyed workpiece
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Acetone
• Selection of extruded or cast acrylic parts

Safety and Cleanliness

Safety is an important subject to cover here. Although most of the dispersed dyes are relatively non-toxic, they can be very messy and may permanently stain many materials.

Other types of dyes, namely basic dyes, carry a significant hazard as they are even more tenacious in staining and are considerably more toxic. Always wear gloves when dyeing and thoroughly clean all tools and materials with warm soapy water.

The real safety concern here is the use of isopropyl alcohol and acetone. We will be using a small amount in heated water-based dye baths, and good ventilation is essential.

Fire Hazard Reminders

• Both Acetone and Isopropyl alcohol are flammable. Acetone is much more so!
• Never leave the heated dye bath unattended.
• Never let the bath boil to the point it froths over the walls of the container. If necessary, remove it from the heat source if things get out of hand.
• If the bath ignites, calmly cover it with a fireproof lid and remove it from the heat source
• This process should only be done outdoors or in a very well-ventilated space far away from flammable surfaces or open flames.

What Are Disperse Dyes?

Disperse dyes are neutral organic dyes that feature no ionic bonding groups. They are generally water-insoluble. Therefore, they are "dispersed" in water with a surface-active detergent to create an emulsion.

By heating the bath to 185-212 degrees Fahrenheit and using a carrier, the acrylic plastic surface can swell and accept the dye. Since the dye is not really soluble in water, it is easily transferred to the synthetic particles within the acrylic.

Role of Dye Carrier

As noted above, disperse dyes are not soluble in water and usually need a detergent to help keep them dispersed in water.

The dye carrier is an organic liquid that is soluble in water and can better dissolve the dispersed organic dyes. Also, the carrier opens the pores of the acrylic plastic enough to assist in setting dye in the acrylic.

The carrier is chosen to be a solvent strong enough to have action on the acrylic but not so much that it crazes or melts the plastic. It is best to add a carrier to a dye bath prior to heating or the carrier may flash boil violently out of the container.

How to Dye Acrylic Plastic

1. Pick the smallest stainless, enameled pot or Pyrex glass container that will hold enough fluid to cover your acrylic object completely.
2. Use a measuring cup to determine the volume of dye bath needed to cover the part.
3. Once the volume of the bath is determined, mix water to dye in a 3:1 ratio (e.g., 300 ml water to 100ml water).
4. Add carrier (isopropyl alcohol or acetone) in a quantity that is 25 to 30% volume of dye and water mixture.
5. With a thermometer in the bath, gently heat the bath until it reaches 185 degrees Fahrenheit (85 degrees Celsius). The carrier will already be boiling out of the solution at this point. Immerse acrylic and keep agitated.
6. When proper color intensity is obtained, remove from the bath and rinse in cool water.

Tips and Tricks

• Extruded acrylic dyes are easier than cast acrylic.
• Some dyes can tint lightly without carrier if a subtle color is desired.
• To increase color intensity, prolong immersion into the dye bath or add more dye.

Suggested Liquid Dye Bath Compositions

Dye Solution	Temperature for Dyeing	Carrier
1 part liquid RIT Dyemore and 3 parts water	200 degrees Fahrenheit +	Isopropyl Alcohol 30% by volume
1 part liquid RIT Dyemore and 3 parts water	185 degrees +	Acetone 25% to 30% by volume

Guidelines to help formulate dye baths for acrylic plastics

Using Basic Dyes on Acrylic Glass

So far, I have been focused entirely on dispersion-type dyes in liquid form. Even though these dyes can only produce light or, at best, medium tinting of acrylic sheets or blocks, using liquid disperse dyes is the easiest and safest method for beginners. If you are well organized and make safety a priority, then you should be able to use basic dyes for the darker and more intense coloring of clear acrylic plastic.

What Is a Basic Dye?

It is a dye that has a molecule that is positively charged, unlike acid dyes which use a negatively charged molecule. What this basically means is that basic dyes are very active and will dye many things other dyes would not. They are usually supplied in powdered form and require special handling because of this. Also, some basic dyes are toxic and/or may increase the risk of cancer. This is where personal protective equipment and safe practices come into play. Protective eyewear and a dust mask are the minimum protective measures needed.

It is best to have a dedicated place for handling this dye, so nothing important gets permanently stained. This can be a garage or shed with newspapers or drop cloth on the floor to collect any solid or solution that spills.

For deep or intense colors, 4-5% by weight of the Plexiglas to be dyed is used. Some basic dyes may not dissolve easily in even hot water, so vinegar must be used.

Room Temperature Dyeing of Clear Cast Acrylic

Dyeing clear acrylic can be a fun and creative way to add color to your projects or crafts. One popular method is to use a mixture of acetone and liquid RIT disperse dye in a 4:3 by volume ratio at room temperature. This technique can be used to achieve vibrant, long-lasting colors on acrylic surfaces.

Instructions

1. To start, make sure that your clear acrylic is clean and free of any dirt or debris.
2. Next, mix the acetone and liquid RIT disperse dye in a 4:3 ratio by volume. The acetone will act as a solvent to help the dye penetrate the acrylic surface. (Note: that acetone is a flammable solvent, so be sure to take proper safety precautions, such as working in a well-ventilated area and avoiding open flames or sparks.)
3. Once the dye mixture is ready, immerse the acrylic piece in the dye, and allow it to soak for several minutes or until the desired color is achieved.
4. Agitate the acrylic piece periodically during the dyeing process to ensure even color distribution. Also, you might have to strain the dye mixture after acetone is added because acetone reduces the solubility of some solids.
5. After dyeing, rinse the acrylic thoroughly with water to remove any excess dye, and allow it to dry completely before handling or using.

With proper technique and care, dyeing clear acrylic with a mixture of acetone and liquid RIT disperse dye can yield beautiful, long-lasting results.