Carpet Dye Project
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Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Jacksonville NC
Carpet Dye Project
Just saw the low cost thread, didn't want to put this in there in case somebody feels this is "bubba"
My carpet was originally graphite but was extremely faded in the cargo area and quite faded up front. Figured I would give dyeing the carpets a shot.
First washed the carpets with laundry detergent and a bristle brush.
Then I mixed one packet of Rit Dye, one cup of vinegar, and filled the rest of a spray bottle with almost boiling hot water and proceeded to spray. After spraying I then rubbed the dye into the carpets by hand. Use rubber gloves!!
After letting this dry for about 3-4 hours, went back over it again with the water house to rinse out the excess dye. Did this until the water ran clear.
After they dried, put the carpet back in.
For the door panel carpet and knee bolsters, I sprayed then in the car then used hot water in the carpet cleaner to remove the excess.
I read a lot online about how some people haven't had good luck with this. I do not recommend dyeing the carpets while they are in the car, you really need to be able to rinse them completely to remove the excess dye. Had also read how some people had placed the carpet in a large container full of dye mixture, I chose to just hang them as I didn't have a bucket big enough and with the rubber backing I couldn't really fold them up to fit.
No dye came off on my hands during the re-install. I have no idea how fade resistant they will be, but I will update this post if anything crazy starts to happen.
My bottom line: cost was only $20 and time. Does it look NCRS, nope. Is it as dark black as new carpet, nope. Does it look a heck of a lot better, yes!
My carpet was originally graphite but was extremely faded in the cargo area and quite faded up front. Figured I would give dyeing the carpets a shot.
First washed the carpets with laundry detergent and a bristle brush.
Then I mixed one packet of Rit Dye, one cup of vinegar, and filled the rest of a spray bottle with almost boiling hot water and proceeded to spray. After spraying I then rubbed the dye into the carpets by hand. Use rubber gloves!!
After letting this dry for about 3-4 hours, went back over it again with the water house to rinse out the excess dye. Did this until the water ran clear.
After they dried, put the carpet back in.
For the door panel carpet and knee bolsters, I sprayed then in the car then used hot water in the carpet cleaner to remove the excess.
I read a lot online about how some people haven't had good luck with this. I do not recommend dyeing the carpets while they are in the car, you really need to be able to rinse them completely to remove the excess dye. Had also read how some people had placed the carpet in a large container full of dye mixture, I chose to just hang them as I didn't have a bucket big enough and with the rubber backing I couldn't really fold them up to fit.
No dye came off on my hands during the re-install. I have no idea how fade resistant they will be, but I will update this post if anything crazy starts to happen.
My bottom line: cost was only $20 and time. Does it look NCRS, nope. Is it as dark black as new carpet, nope. Does it look a heck of a lot better, yes!
