Better dye job for ACU pack.

[Moab]

ACU sucks. But it's super cheap. Here is a new way to dye it. To get basically Ranger Green and a light green ACU. These are best colors I have ever seen:

I posted a $65 ACU Molle II Rucksack Complete in the bargains section. Commenting that you could dye them.

https://ufozs.com/smf/index.php?topic=1266.0

It had been a few years since I took a deep dive into dyeing ACU. So I dug around and found this guy with INCREDIBLE results.

He got closer to an acceptable color than anyone I have ever seen before. Its almost a Ranger Green. But with enough contrast left from the ACU to make it a pretty nice camo color. He basically used two different dyes.

Dharma Acid Dye - Lichen color. And RIT Dye Green Apple in liquid form.

But he also did a dye job that was lighter with just RIT Dye Green Apple. You can see both results below. In indoor and outdoor light. And decide for yourself which one you like best.

There are many tests like this online. But these are the best results I have seen.

Again, he did it two ways:

Once with RIT Dye Green Apple only. For the lighter color on the left below.

The other with Dharma Acid Dye in color Lichen and RIT Dye Green Apple after. For the darker color on the right below.

(If the video does not start at 1:36. Go there manually.)


https://youtu.be/GFJewII_i1s

The next video is outside. The pack at the top is the darker Dharma Lichen/RIT Green Apple combo dye job. The waist belt at the bottom is the RIT Green Apple dye alone.


https://youtu.be/jZlsgZ13IXU


This is how he did the darker color. That looks like Ranger Green:

First he used 2 to 3 good handfuls of rock salt and 1/3 to half a bottle white vinegar in boiling water. Each time he dyed. Then he added the dye and stired it up. Then he added the pack and stired frequently. He removed heat once he put the pack in.

1) First dye job was Dharma Acid Dye in color Lichen. About 1/4 of the jar or several teaspoons. It turned the pack a much darker grey. Adjusting soak times will give you the shade you want.

2) Second dye job was RIT Dye Apple Green. About 1.5 bottles. Assuming the liquid kind.


This is how he did the lighter green. That looks like a light green ACU:

First he used 2 to 3 good handfuls of rock salt and 1/3 to half a bottle white vinegar in boiling water. Then he added the dye and stired it up. Then he added the pack and stired frequently. He removed heat once he put the pack in.

1) RIT Dye Apple Green. About 1.5 bottles. Assuming the liquid kind.

He did not say how much water he used. But it has to be enough to be able to sink the pack in the dye.

In each dye job he brought the water to boil, added the dye and then the pack. And then let it sit for 45 minutes to 2 hours. But keep an eye on how dark you want it. Longer soak time equals darker color.

Then he rinsed both dye jobs and let dry.

Another online source said washing in baking soda can take the vinegar smell out. But this guy said the smell fades away pretty quickly.

The Dharma dye left the pack dark grey. The second RIT dye job on the same pack brought alot of green into it. Resulting in the darker more Ranger Green color.

The RIT Dye Green Apple by itself made the lighter green color. But as he points out in the video it has a tinge of yellow to it. And definitely brighter. This is how most packs dyed online turn out. I personally don't care for it. But it may better suit your environment.

I think maybe doing the Dharma not quite as long. With the RIT Green Apple after. Might get an even better version of the darker color. As it might preserve more of the ACU pattern beneath. But I dinfinetly like the darker better.

He also added that he stired it frequently. And kept checking it. He stated that all the Dharma did was make the pack a darker grey color. ACU is primarily grey. As well as the inside of the pack a dark grey color. But I think the Dharma is what takes the lighter yellowish shades out of it. And tones down the bright green of the RIT Green Apple alone dye job.

Best bet is to buy some cheap pouches. Do some test dyes. Mainly to just see how long of a soak time you need for your desired color. And then take a look at them inside and outside in the light.

*Note fatigues and other fabrics dye differently. But I suspect these dyes and colors could acheive a similar look.