I've got a cheaper and easier way that I do fades. All you need is two tanks (buckets) and some flexible tubing (clear pcv is cheap, very flexible, and works great).
I heat my dye in one tank and then hang the part to be faded in an empty tank. Once the dye is heated I use the tubing to siphon the dye to the empty tank. The fade is produced as the dye level slowly rises over the part. Speed can be controlled by size of tubing or diameter of bucket.
Make sure the empty tank is lower than the dye tank to siphon properly. To get the dye to start flowing just completely submerge the tubing in the dye and move it around till its full of dye. Then hold your finger over one end of the tubing, lift it from the dye tank and move it to the empty tank, move your finger away and the dye will start to flow. Make sure the other end of the tubing stays submerged in the dye or the flow will stop and you'll have to start all over. When you're done just lift the hose from the dye and the flow will stop. Its not as messy as it may sound, with a little practice you should be able to do it and only get dye on a couple of fingers. A very small fountain pump would also work and keep you from having to put your fingers in the dye. There is also a siphon hose available at Lowes and other places that works good but there is only one size available so you would have to control speed with a valve or something. I'll try to find a picture or link for the siphon hose so you guys can see what I'm talking about.
Hope this wins me the 20 amp power supply!
