Are you looking to customize your lacrosse head? Have you ever wanted it to reflect the team colors or show off your style? If so, dyeing a lacrosse head is an easy and affordable way to make that happen.
With suitable materials, techniques, and lots of patience, you can do it in a few simple steps. So join us as we explore what materials you need and how to dye a lacrosse head.
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Take Away Key Points:
Where to Dye a Lacrosse Head?
Lacrosse players looking to dye their heads should turn to a reliable supplier of pure, bold colors.
Quality is key when looking for a dye source, as the dyed heads must last through long practices and games. It's crucial to use the right kind of paint for lacrosse head dyeing for it to stick so that the colors remain vivid and stunning throughout the season.
Old-fashioned powder dyes are reliable but challenging to work with in humid environments. On the other hand, liquid or gel dyes offer stronger adhesion, and the vibrant colors stay put even when exposed to perspiration or wet conditions.
For those wanting easy application, spray paint may be ideal–just make sure to cover all surfaces well.
Dyeing Lacrosse Heads With RIT Dye: An Entire Process
If you want to know more about the dyeing process and make your lacrosse head more stylish, refer to the steps below to find the best method.
Step 1: Cleaning & preparing the lacrosse head
Use dish soap and a sponge to scrub a used lacrosse head. First, clean the head of dirt, so use warm water for the experiment. However, cleaning a new lacrosse head won't be necessary when you're using a new lacrosse head.
Next, choose one or two RIT colors for coloring your lacrosse head. You can select a specific color pattern or choose color shapes that match your team. You can find the RIT dye color at various stores and create your pattern.
For instance, mixing blue and yellow, red and green, etc. However, if this is your first time dyeing the lacrosse head, stick to only one color until you are experienced.
Your next step is removing the string from the head. Once you untie the small knots, remove the string net and put it away. This way, you won't dye the string as well. Some players leave the strings when dying heads, but it's rare.
Tape the parts of the head you want to remain uncolored. Remember that these parts will remain white once your lacrosse stick is complete. However, you can have fun and create as much as possible.
For instance, you can cut star shapes, triangles, squares, etc., on duct tape, and while dipping it into the colors, your lacrosse head will get a unique style. But if you want the whole stick head to be in one color, skip the taping process.
Step 2: Applying marbling spray
Shake the webbing spray before application to mix the spray color in the can. If you don't shake the spray, the patterns will be uneven on your dyed head later.
Once you finish the dyeing, the webbing color won't take the color of the container dye, as it is almost always black. The webbing color comes in various variants - purple, green, red, or black, so pick your favorite one for the covered surface.
Place the head on a sheet of newspapers. The spraying color might make a huge mess, so ensure you cover a 4x4 feet area with newspapers.
Spray the paint across the head. Hold the can three feet away from the head. Move the can up and down, back and forth, to cover the entire area. Let the webbing spray dry for about two hours before dyeing it in the liquid mixture.
To check if the paint is dyed and dry, you can try touching it with your fingers. If the color is wet, let it dry for thirty more minutes.
Step 3: Soaking the lacrosse head into the dyeing bath
You should boil water to warm up the head dye. Fill the pot with one to two liters (0.26-0.53 gallons) of tap water. When dying the head into two colors, boil two pots. Pour one container of dyeing color into each pot of boiling water.
Next, stir the dye and the hot water mixture with a wooden spoon to ensure the paint is equally spread in the boiling water. But, if you want different patterns, you can add only one-half of the dye color to make the head lighter once you dip it into the water.
Dip the head into the boiling water, and keep it there for approximately twenty to thirty seconds. Keep the head inside the entire time the water is boiling. Use kitchen tongs or similar tools to dip and remove the head to prevent burning your hands. Once you're done, lift the head, and leave it to drip dry for approximately ten seconds.
If you want your head to be of a dark color, dip the head for thirty seconds. You should not let your head touch the bottom of the pot, as it might melt the plastic. If you choose to create a marbling effect on the head, the dye won't change the webbing spray color you applied earlier.
Step 4: Dyeing the head a second color
When you want to preserve the already dyed parts, cover those head areas. Tape the parts that you want to remain white or colored in the first paint before you dip the head into the second color. If you already have a dark color, switch to a light one.
Dip the head into the second solid color dye to finish the dye job. Then, again, use the tongs to dip the head into the boiling water of the second solid color dye. For a successful dye job, keep the lacrosse head for twenty to thirty seconds.
Step 5: Removing the excess dye
Remove your lacrosse heads from the water about ten to fifteen seconds after it's dyed to remove the excess dye. An easier way is to dip one-half of the lacrosse heads into one color for thirty seconds and then in another one for another thirty seconds to dye the stick.
Once the heads are cooled, remove the tape with your hands or use a knife blade. Be careful not to hurt yourself. Once you remove the tape parts, the rest of the area should be white. Of course, if you didn't use duct tape, skip this step.
Rinse the heads with cool water once you dye them completely. Then, lace the head under cool water to wash the remaining dye. In addition, you will prevent it from leaking onto the string and pocket.
Another method is to use a huge bucket, pour the water inside, and let the dye stay there for thirty seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of dye do you use for lacrosse heads?
You can either use an RIT or Lax Dip dye for lacrosse heads. These dye types best work with the plastic parts of the heads.
Can you use RIT dye on a lacrosse head?
Yes, you can mix the RIT dye for the lacrosse head with hot water to complete the dye job.
Can you dye a lacrosse helmet?
No, you cannot dye a lacrosse helmet. This is because the color of the helmet is permanent, and trying to change it will void the warranty. However, there are many DIY steps to apply spray on the helmet and change the color, but these are not recommendable.
How to remove dye from a lacrosse head?
You may try a dye remover and a bleach; however, the process is not recommendable, as it can weaken your head. It would be best to ask the RIT representatives how to remove the dye if you plan to dye your head later.
Is it possible to dye a black lacrosse head?
No, it is not possible to dye a black head. You might use bleach to fade away the colors a bit, but the outcome won't be satisfactory, and you risk weakening your head. Also, the darker colors may not dye to lighter ones successfully.
Conclusion
Dyeing your head can be a great way to show off some of your creative flairs while supporting your team colors. It is easy to customize your gear and demonstrate team spirit without breaking the bank.
You don't need a ton of skill or materials to do the dye job - hot water, fabric dye, and time for the dye to set.
You might even have some fun with it in the process!
