I'd suggest RIT liquid dye, sounds like you used the powder and did get it completely disolved.


My VECO Chief, yellow RIT died silkspan

Higgins Fadeproof Ink is available at art and craft type stores.  I used it on my Baby Magician to very good effect!  I diluted it with wood alcohol and stained the wood first then put some in the dope.  Very even and deep color resulted.

However, I have discovered that there are powdered analine dyes available at the "pro" woodworking stores.  These dissolve well in wood alcohol, and then can be used as part of the thinner in dope!  As Andy B found out, filter the dyed alcohol before using!  The color is really intense, and pretty good fade resistance.

I intend to dye silk or silkspan with the straight alcohol/dye mix, then add the remainder to the dope next time I do that kind of finish.

Hi Bob,

Using the Rit liquid dye, you dye the silkspan before application.  The silkspan is colored what ever you want it to be before you put it on the plane.  You don't mix it in the dope. 

Higgins Ink and the analine dyes are mixed in the clear dope and sprayed as the finish.  I have not heard of mixing the Rit Dye in clear dope as a finish.

Hi Bob. I have used Rit dye in the powder form over the years in several ways and find it will fade!!!  George Aldrich always said he liked it because you can watch it fade!!! Red and any color using red is probaby the worst. Try using your wife or girlfriends old panty hose or nylon stocking by putting the dye in it and tie it in a knot but be sure she is not wearing it at the time and there are no holes in the stocking. You can dye the silkspan this way or put it in your thinner, dope or a ready to spray mix of the two. Just let it sit until it is at least as dark as you want it to be. You can also mix your own using a  small amount of color dope mixed into the clear but use a much darker color than you want the finished product to be such as maroon for a red (it will fade slower than the dye) and you better spray it in a very even pattern if you don't want stripes. Gary Tultz may still have some UV retardant and possibly a local paint supply might have it for your top clear coats. Dying the silkspan is probably the easiest and the aniline dyes and artists inks are most likely the best.

Good Luck!!

Don Boka.

Guys,
There is another type of analine dye available and that is a liquid form.  I use it in my guitar finishes and it is fantastic.  Just a drop or two will color a very lot of material.  You can use it in water, alchy, or clear dope, or even to retint white colors.  (I intend to use it in white for my new Ephesian.)
It is quite expensive but one little bottle will last a lifetime.  You can get it at www.stewmac.com which is a luthier's supply place.  Just don't get it on your skin if you don't want to be that color for a while!
Blessings,
Will