Dying Polyester

[Reno99]

Hi,

I have a red 100% polyester dress (with 100% viscose lining). It an old oil stain on it that I couldn't get out. I decided to dye it black to see if that might at least mean it can be worn again.
I used the dylon black dye which worked on the lining and actually where the oil stains were on the dress but the rest of the dress is still red.
Does anyone have any experience with either idye poly or dyemore to help dye the rest?

im up for trying anything as it's going in the bin anyway if I can't fix it!

any other help/advice much appreciated.

tia!

You can't dye polyester. It's the equivalent of trying to dye a plastic box. I am guessing it's ruined now but could you add an embellishment over the oil stain, like a bit of embroidery or something?

There are American options, but they are pretty hit and miss

There are a few cosplayers and fabric/crafters on YouTube and TikTok that have had success

You have to use heat. You can't cold dye synthetic fibres

Effectively boiling the garment in a pot on the hob will destroy much of the structural parts of the dress, so be prepared to replace interfacings, shoulder pads and linings

You can use RIT DyeMore or iDye Poly, which you can buy on Amazon - they are pretty toxic and the results can be streaky