Message: I was wondering if you knew the steps to dye lacrosse heads. Thank You!


Are they made of nylon? Acid dye, such as that found in all-purpose dyes (e.g., Rit or Tintex brand dyes), will dye nylon. All-purpose dye tends to perform poorly on cotton, but it works pretty well on nylon. However, the colors in all-purpose dyes are often not quite as represented on the package. Rit dye that is supposed to dye black will instead produce a dark purple on lacrosse heads! Rit is easy to find, but it is not as good as other acid dyes.

For better results, avoid the use of all-purpose dyes, and instead use pure acid dyes. Don't be alarmed by the name; these dyes do not contain acid. Acid dyes are the best kind of dye to use on nylon, whether it's nylon fabric or hard nylon lacrosse heads.

The very best and blackest acid dye is in the Lanaset range of dyes, Lanaset Jet Black B. All of the dyes in the Lanaset range are very rich in color, and more resistant to water after proper application than any other acid dye. They are rather expensive, though. ProChem's WashFast Acid Dye in Jet Black is half the price and contains one of the two dyes that are mixed in the Lanaset black.

Jacquard is a good brand of acid dye which can be purchased from art supply stores such as MisterArt; a wide range of color choices is available.

For best results, you should heat the nylon in the dye bath (dye mixed with water and vinegar) for an extended period of time. You cannot use acid dyes at room temperature, as heat is needed to encourage the formation of a bond between the nylon and the dye. See E-Lacrosse Stick Tech Workshop for descriptions of techniques.

By the way, it is considered inadvisable to reuse a cooking pot for food after it has been used for dyeing. The only dye that should be used in pots used for cooking is food coloring, which is less wash-resistant than other dyes. Rit dye is not suitable for use in containers which will later be reused for food. You should get a large enamel or stainless steel pot to use for dyeing.

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