dying a utilikilt

[Kilted KT]

I've got a basil survival UK, and want to dye it black. Has anyone had any experience with this, or any suggestions?

[turpin]

Follow the directions on the dye packet, Duh!

[Panache]

KT,

I have a friend with a Survival UK (Gryphonaire) and vaguely remember him saying that it was made out of some special cloth that resisted mildew or something of that nature. Which makes me suspect it will not take dye very well. I would email the folks at Utilikilt before making the attempt. You may be better off just selling this one and buying a black one.

Cheers

Jamie

[cavscout]

Since there are no coatings on the UK's, it should be very simple to dye.

Take the time to do it right (per the instructions). Don't think that cold water or "warm" water will do when it says to use HOT water. Get HOT water.

Pre-soak the kilt in hat water before putting it in the dye. This helps the dye to be absorbed evenly to avoid light and dark spots here and there.

Stir it well to ensure every inch gets dyed.

It may even be worth adding a vinegar soak to set the color. I've never done this though.

All that being said, there are still no guarantees it will turn out like you hope.

[cavscout]

My survival didn't seem to have any coatings on it ( it would absorb anything it touched) but since UK has been known to change materials, it would be worth a call to UKHQ.

[Kilted KT]

I'll give that a shot...after a quick email to Mr. Vargas & co.!

[Mark Keeney]

Use a good dye (not rit).

Use a dye remover.

Follow directions and real hot water.

Be aware the thread used for stitching is probably poly/cotton so it won't take a dye the same as the fabric.

Sell the Basil and get a Black one. Easier and better results.


Mark

[RockyR]

Also, it's 100% cotton, so it SHOULD take dye very easily.

[Kilted KT]

I would sell it and get a new one...but the cost of dye and hot water is substantially less than the difference between the sales price of mine and the cost of a new one...and I'm trying to save for a kilt for my son!

[furrycelt]

I've got a basil survival UK, and want to dye it black. Has anyone had any experience with this, or any suggestions?

out of curiosity, why try to dye it black? is that the 'basil' color wasn't what you expected? i'd offer to buy it from, but in my less than humble opinion, that basil fabric is the ugliest color i've ever seen. and i saw one in real life at last year's Loch Norman Highland Games.

since you are going thru the trouble of dying it, why not go with something different than standard? i think a dark brown or super-dark red would be smart looking, neither color available from UK that i know of. also, the dying process might go easier if you keep it green-ish, like a dark green or some such.

Ooo, here's a crazy thought!... since that model has detachable pockets, do those in a separate color!!!

ok... i'll stop now.