dying clear silicone to tint it

[TheGuy92]

Hi everyone! I've been searching all morning on this subject, but I've not been able to find anything conclusive.

I have a white LED strip that I want to add a VERY slight green tint to. How should I go about this?

The strip is waterproof, so it is coated in a layer of clear silicone. I was wondering whether it would be possible to dye it directly, but I need it to be robust and not fade over time so I'm not sure that this is the best method. It's also important that the dye blocks as little light as possible, retaining its transparency.

Another thought would be to dye some transparent silicone sealer (by just adding pigment?) and just putting a layer of that on top of the led strip. Again, I want it to retain its transparency, rather than become solid green, which is basically where my question lies.

 

[madmikeee]

You're thinking too hard

Amazon.com: Colored Transparent Sheets: Arts, Crafts & Sewing

Cut them in strips and glue them on.

 

[Canobi]

Depends if it's going to be flexing or not. Rubberised LED strips have a D profile, so the glued strip on it will most likely kink/snap after a while due to stresses.

An alternative would be transpaerent paints designed for rubber/soft plastic, it just depends if it will be static or not.

 

[TheGuy92]

You're thinking too hard

Amazon.com: Colored Transparent Sheets: Arts, Crafts & Sewing

Cut them in strips and glue them on.

Those probably won't work. I need a fair amount of control of the strength of the colour, and they look too strong.

Depends if it's going to be flexing or not. Rubberised LED strips have a D profile, so the glued strip on it will most likely kink/snap after a while due to stresses.

An alternative would be transpaerent paints designed for rubber/soft plastic, it just depends if it will be static or not.

The strips will be stationary.

I've actually just tried adding some ink (from a pen) to some un-set clear silicone sealer, and the effect is surprisingly good. It's still transparent, and it's the tint I need. The question is, will it fade over time? It's the kind of ink that's found in felt tip pens.

 

[Albertese]

Hey, TheGuy92,

If I were in your position, I would go out and get some inks. I don't mean to cannibalize them from markers, but actually buy a glass jar full of ink. Good stationary stores should sell it, or even any well stocked art-supply aisle in a regular store. Better yet, if you have a game store in your area, one that caters towards table-top wargames, check out their paint racks. Games Workshop's Citadel colors, Vallejo Game Color paints, Reaper paints, and others all have wash tint colors which would tackle this problem handily. They are transparent right from the jar and are easily thinned if you need to. Also, they are tough as they are meant for painting miniature figures that will be handled a lot.

Experiment! Remember the old engineer's adage, that if we knew what we were doing, we wouldn't need R&D...

--Alex

 

[Koipond]

Will it be getting wet? Exposed to sunlight? The elements?



The easiest/ghetto way would use Elmer’s glue and food coloring. For something alittle nicer you could use stained glass paint.

 

[TheGuy92]

Experiment! Remember the old engineer's adage, that if we knew what we were doing, we wouldn't need R&D...

--Alex

That's some good advice. There have been many suggestions so far that have been very helpful, and I will have to experiment and see which ones will work for my project.

Will it be getting wet? Exposed to sunlight? The elements?



The easiest/ghetto way would use Elmer’s glue and food coloring. For something alittle nicer you could use stained glass paint.

It won't be exposed to sunlight, only the light that the LEDs themselves emit. It's going to be indoors too, so the elements shouldn't be an issue.

I will give that guide a read!

 

[NCC1968]

Once dried (cured) not much will stick to silicone well.....esp if you flex it.

Maybe if you mixed in color before applying it then it would work.

 

[Sonnenschein]

Once dried (cured) not much will stick to silicone well.....esp if you flex it.

Maybe if you mixed in color before applying it then it would work.

Correct.


...but some silicones (esp. clear and white ones) will absorb some of the dye. Not much, but there will be a slight tint.

 

[Makrel Johnson]

I'd try dry-erase markers if you want a slight green tint... I found that they can dye certain materials slightly if left on and then wipe down.
Your strip being actual silicone (are you 100% sure?) it may not dye it at all. You could go the clear Silicone I from a tube, naptha and green ink to make an actual silicone wash that will adhere.

Mask and gloves - naptha is not good for you. Listen to The Furniture Guys, and use protection.