Acid Dyes and Dyeing

Acid Dyes achieve bright and heavy colours on protein-based fibres (eg Silk, Wool, Mohair etc) with excellent colour fastness.

The seventeen colours can be used individually or intermixed to produce a wide range of strong colours.

Dyeing Auxiliaries

CALGON: neutralises the metallic salts of tap-water. Particularly necessary in hard water
areas, though worth using everywhere to increase the dye uptake. Available easily and cheaply from the supermarket.
METAPEX or SYNTHRAPOL: detergent which prevents colour contamination during the rinse process by consolidating the remaining dye so that it will not set into other areas while rinsing. Also can be used to scour the fabric prior to dyeing instead of standard detergents.
MANUTEX RS or INDALCA: a thickening agent to convert Acid Dyes into a paste for direct painting, screen- or block-printing. In powder form.
AMMONIUM SULPHATE (Fixing Agent): a mild acid salt
LEVELLING AGENT: a liquid added to the dye bath to make the dye go into the fibre more evenly especially when dyeing pale shades

Shades	Acid dye	Fixing agent	Levelling agent
Pale	0.1-0.2gms	6gms	10ml
Medium	0.5-1.0gms	6gms	6ml
Strong	1.5-2.0gms	6gms	2ml
Black	3.0-4gms	6gms	NONE

Pre wash fabric to remove all dressing, grease etc using Metatex or Synthrapol
Measure 3 litres warm water into a heatable pan, preferably stainless steel as other metals may affect dye shade
In hard water areas add 3gms Calgon - dissolve
Add Fixing Agent (Ammonium Sulphate) - dissolve
Weigh out dye powder. In separate dish add little warm water, mix to paste. Add boiling water to dissolve. Add dissolved dye to dye bath
If necessary, weigh out Levelling Agent and add to dye bath.
Add damp fabric to dye bath and stir gently with wooden, plastic or stainless steel implement.
Raise temperature slowly to 85°C. Continue at this temperature for 15mins (30mins for strong shades).
Remove from dye bath, rinse in tepid water. Finally wash in Metapex.

Acid dyes and dyeing auxiliaries are in the Fabric Art section of our catalogue, on pages 28 - 29: take me to the catalogue download page...