Dyeing skyways or that Aqua blasting thingy? Help please

[Taipan]

I have some early skyways that should be yellow but they have faded so much they are almost white!  whats the best way to bring them back to life!
If I dye them whats the procedure? how do I clean them first and what with? Is there a thread on here about dyeing them?

also whats aqua blasting? is this a better route to go down?

Anyone give me some advice please 

[pickle]

Bleach works to clean them then dye them afterwards 

[Taipan]

thx bud,what about the alloy hubs what do I do to protect them as they are in superb condition 

[pickle]

I wouldn't bleach them then, you could try the dishwasher first to clean them......give them a good scrub then dye them

[Taipan]

thx again  do you think its worth aqua blasting them? you know anything about it bud?

[MartyC]

Fine wirewool and CIF should bring them back to yellow and if still faded or not as bright as you want then dye them with Dylon losts of salt and some constant heat.

[MartyC]

One done with wirewool and cif and one ready to be done

[Taipan]

Cheers Marty that's not a bad result  mine are faded bad and have years of grime and dust like I said there like a dirty white colour probably worse than your one on the right  do I need to protect the alloy hubs if I dye them? thx

[pickle]

The metal will be fine in just hot water (with dye) and salt, it's bleach that eats away at them.

[oldschoolace]

Dont know that aquablasting is capable of removing fading. I know a lad on the museum gets good results using walnut shells as a media for blasting. I would deffo not just try and overdye the fading though, its bound to end up patchy.

[Taipan]

thx for the advice lads 

[oldschoolace]

That US guy I mentioned is here, the red rims look well faided like yours and he got good results 

http://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=200282&p=22

word of warning though, media blasting can be quite abrasive in the wrong hands. Psi and media type are really important as is media size 

Would be tempted to ask an aquabaster to do a trial section first. If they are half decent they shouldn't charge you.

[region11]

Seems aquablasting is great at cleaning, but maybe doesnt bring back colour to faded wheels (although i might be wrong)...I've been reading up on soda blasting, seems to be a less damaging form of dry media blasting, and does appear to bring back so colour, which is what i need for my lavender skyways....Then again, the aussies seem to get great results using fine glass media!

[MartyC]

Seems aquablasting is great at cleaning, but maybe doesnt bring back colour to faded wheels (although i might be wrong)...I've been reading up on soda blasting, seems to be a less damaging form of dry media blasting, and does appear to bring back so colour, which is what i need for my lavender skyways....Then again, the aussies seem to get great results using fine glass media!

And baking soda brings them up good too.  To get the colour back spray with WD40 and leave to soak in inside a bin bag if you don't want to dye them.