[RedRiver]

Hmmmm...........But......Dye will absorb into previously dyed areas (I know what you mean Acidrain but please allow me to elaborate on what I THINK acidrain meant, however, was obviously short on time to answer with a full, detailed expaination). If you dye the part black then dunk it into the red dye tank, your part will remain black no matter how long it stays in the red dye solution. However, if you dye your part red first and then dunk it into the black dye tank then the black will eventually dominate the red and viola - your red just will eventually turn black. I think what Acidrain meant to say (and correct me if I am wrong Acidrain, I'd hate to think that I was overstepping my boundries), is that if you dye the part in sequence of the most dominate color to the least dominate color, your colors are usually easier to control. For example, if you dye your part entirely black (most dominate color), bleach out desired areas from the black surface, rinse VERY well with water and then dunk into acid rinse before moving to your next color (red for example), the clear spots where the black dye was removed with the bleach will in turn dye red (when dropped into a red dye tank) whereas the black will remain black. Bare in mind that it is very possible and easy to "blend" colors using the same principle. This of course requires a basic understanding of color blending and how to controllably produce a third color from two or more other colors. For this I would recommend purchasing Caswell's color wheel chart. For example, blending two colors to produce a third might be achieved by dying 3/4 of a part bright yellow. Rinse with water and then turn the part around and dye the other side red. Fade the red into the yellow....You'll notice that the red and yellow will blend with eachother where overlapped in the center to produce orange. Viola, a tri color fade....

Some strategic planning of not only color sequence but fixturing is often key in producing quality results. Think of what colors you want where and how you're going to have to hold the part while dying in order to achieve your goal. Construct your fixturing to accomidate your planned method.

Now Acidrain, if I have contradicted you incorrectly...Please...Kick my backside for me...I've probably earned it.