Dyeing filaments - PETG, PVB, Nylon, PLA ?
Not a print (yet), more of a question - does anyone here have experience dyeing filament to get a desired color / effect ? I have seen this post ( https://richrap.blogspot.com/2013/04/3d-printing-with-nylon-618-filament-in.html) on dyeing Nylon from 2013: wondering if anyone here has had experience more recently and / or with other materials. Ideally, I could dye my PVB to get a stained - glass like finish with different colors from stock.
Prusa is MK4S w/ MMU3 (formerly MK4 / MMU3, MK3S+/MMU2), 2 Prusa MINI+, Octoprint. PETG, PVB, (some) PLA.
RE: Dyeing filaments - PETG, PVB, Nylon, PLA ?
@diem - thanks for this - I was considering how to apply the dye as the filament rolls off the spool. The marker hack produces a nice result (just need to make an adapter for MK4/MMU3).
That said, I am still looking at ways to increase the pigment infusion into the filament if I can to get bolder color: using a hygroscopic filament like PVB, I can get the dye to soak through almost to the core, and get some very strong, true color.
So far, with PETG, I am only getting the dye around the outer ring of the filament (like the marker method, but a bit deeper), which results in a nice, stable looking color with translucent PETG, but with a solid PETG (like white), you can see that the blend is inconsistent, resulting in a lighter color and striping.
Posting a pic of my first dye job for reference here if someone else wants to try this. The dye was red iDyePoly for synthetics ( https://www.jacquardproducts.com/idye-main). The top was a translucent PVB filament, the next a translucent PETG, the next a white PETG (note striping due to inconsistent blend, shallow dye penetration).
Ultimately, I'd like to get to the point where I can blend not just a nice color, but rather a specific color that can get me a consistent match to a hex color code. Mellonta tauta!
Prusa is MK4S w/ MMU3 (formerly MK4 / MMU3, MK3S+/MMU2), 2 Prusa MINI+, Octoprint. PETG, PVB, (some) PLA.
RE:
Update on this - if you want to try it at home with PETG, you must use the synthetic dyes. The RIT all purpose dyes (like these: https://www.ritdye.com/type/all-purpose-dye/) won't dent the PETG, even when it is heated to the point of deformation.
Prusa is MK4S w/ MMU3 (formerly MK4 / MMU3, MK3S+/MMU2), 2 Prusa MINI+, Octoprint. PETG, PVB, (some) PLA.
RE:
Yes you absolutely can dye filament. I dye PETG to get colors nobody offers. I find the PETG accepts the dye well, and will withstand the necessary high temperature.
Do NOT use regular Rit dye. It will do nothing. Use their synthetic dye called DyeMore.
The dye must remain VERY hot, so you need a big pot and a good thermometer. Do a test run on a throwaway print to see what max temp your filament will take, and how long it needs to soak for the desired color.
Have a look. The lampshade is clear petg dyed brown.