Dyeing for Sunburst

[gt05254]

I've been wanting to tie some of Davie MacPhail's Ayeshire Man shrimp pattern, but didn't have the requisite Sunburst-colored hackle. A recent post by Flytyer mentioned a dye mix that would yield Sunburst. A follow-up PM from him suggested a starting proportion of 50:50 of the two colors and then adjusting the mix to get the color i was looking for, using the paper towel method to test color. I want to thank Russ for that help; I got exactly the color I wanted...I even held the saddle up to the screen during Davie's video on tying the Ayeshire Man...perfect match!

I ended up at about 2 to 1, yellow to fuschia. I am just tickled at the results.
Gary

[speyhurricane]

well done thanks for sharing

[gastch]

Great to see that worked out, now to get off my ass and order some of that myself!

[whiskeyjin]

Beautiful color dyed.
Well done Gary.
Jin.

[raspberry-patch]

... into the trick bag this goes. Nice!!!

[gt05254]

As flytyer so willingly shared with me, I'm more than pleased to be able to share with you guys!
Gary

[afunk]

That's a lot safer than the other way to get sunburst. Didn't they use a nasty acid?

[gt05254]

Maybe picric acid? I wouldn't go near that stuff for anything. I think UK guys use it, from what I can see. Nasty indeed.
Gary

[afunk]

That's what it was. I like your way much better. I've always bought (usually from oversees) my sunburst dyed materials. Thanks for the tip I happen to have both colors of jacquard so I think I'll give it a shot.

[Darwin]

Gary that is an awesome looking sunburst, I like it.

[gt05254]

Couldn't resist tying something up with the sunburst. It's just a Cascade style fly, but using all Sunburst stuff. Tail's too short.

[klops]

Like with each kind of colors they are versions of them
Of course the same is with sunburst.
Normally use yellow version (left) but this season I like to try much more version with tint of orange (right)

[hitcher]

Gary, stop it!! You are pushing me to the edge! My wife will not appreciate me bringing back her pots dyed sunburst!!
Awesome stuff!! That cascade will do nicely!! Great colors man!!

[flytyer]

Gary,

Glad I was able to help you get the color you were after. Hopefully, you wrote down the mix amount (either weight or fractions of tsp) of each dye so you can replicate it quickly next time.

Folks,

Be careful if you mix dyes to be sure they are of the same type of acid dye and not mixes of different colors of acid dyes to avoid problems. Yes there are different types of acid dyes and they set at different time, in fact, some displace other types of acid dyes. This is why I avoid Veniard's dyes, most of them are mixes of different colors and at times of different types of acid dyes. And like I told Gary in my PM response to his PM, start with a 50/50 mix, check the color with a white paper towel, and adjust as needed until you get the shade you want.

Fortunately, Jacquard's Hot Fuschia and Florescent Yellow are pure colors not mixes and of the same type of acid dye. If you are even in doubt about whether the dyes you are going to use are pure colors or mixtures of colors, never mix them with another color. Instead, use the overdye method to get the color you want.

To overdye, dye the lighter color first and them overdye with the darker color. Watch the color change closely because it will happen pretty quickly and as soon as it does, you need to dump the dye bath and rinse the material.

afunk,

All you need to set any acid dye in fly tying materials is plain old, ordinary white vinegar. If you want the dye to set a bit faster, you can use ascorbic acid (i.e. the stuff canners use to keep things from changing color) or citric acid crystals. I'd never use picric acid, hydrocloric acid, or other rather strong acids because they should never be used without proper ventilation and safety gear. White vinegar, ascorbic acid, and citric acid crystals don't (that is unless you are foolish enough to sniff the citric acid crystals).

[afunk]

Flytyer,
Thanks for the heads up. I've been dyeing for some time based on info you posted awhile back. I've been using white vinegar and have been happy with how the color has set. I think I'll stick with that and leave the nasty acids at work and not bring them home.