Why Salt

[CD17]

Ok I just getting ready to dye some Tuffs back to Blue & nowhere on the tin of dye does it say use salt, so what's the salt for 

I know loads of people have dyed stuff & they have all added salt, but why 

[kdw712]

from the dylon site

Q Why do I need to use salt?

 
A You need to use salt with all DYLON dyes except Wash & Dye (it's already in Wash & Dye) because it opens up the pores of the fabric and allows the dye to be absorbed.
 


still don't fully explain does it 

[CD17]

Yes for fabric it says to use it, but on Tuffs 

[rollin72]

there should be an instruction pamflet in the tub of dye, it tells you there to use salt but dont explain why, opening the pores sounds good though

[rollin72]

what dye are you using

[HARORIDER]

i would imagine that the wheels are made out of compressed nylon and the pores still need to be opened up to absorb the dye

[Wayne Ryder]

My insomnia was made for threads like this. Found a site that has the reasons here: http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/dyelog/B1063361308/C1845207367/E20080819102444/
But here's a snippet that'll probably suffice:

Table salt is fine for dyeing, especially if it's non-iodized, but sea salt is not a good choice because of the minerals in it, as well as the unnecessary expense. Pickling salt is better because it does not have additives.

What salt does, in high water ratio immersion dyeing, is reduce the tendency of the fabric to repel the dye. Since both the fabric and the dye are negatively charged they tend to repel each other. The addition of large quantities of salt reduces the electronegativity of both fiber and dye, making it easier for the dye to associate with the fiber so that it is located handy for the formation of a chemical bond.

In low water immersion dyeing, the purpose of salt is different. It reduces the solubility of the dye, which is probably why it results in somewhat different effects in the uneven coloration that results from the constriction of the fabric by the small size of the container it's in. Adding salt to low water immersion dyeing can increase the crystal-like patterns produced by this method of dyeing.

[bmxbert]

cheers for that. like they say you learn something every day.

[kdw712]

now thats an answer 

[CD17]

Great answer 

So how much should I use 

[Mattdub]

Chris ,

Salt is always needed , they turn out a little bland without seasoning 
 

[Wayne Ryder]

Great answer 

So how much should I use 

Er... 'Some salt'?
If Dylon don't get it right, and that's assuming the page I referenced DID, a bunch of BMXers haven't got a hope.
Doesn't it give you a guide on the packaging?

[rollin72]

 in the dylon instructions it says use 30gm of salt per tin of dye, I used 2x750gms bottles of salt and 3 tins of dye,it worked a treat on my rims they turned out wicked. I think that extra 1400gms made it work!!!!!!!