Dyeing a polyester raincoat

[IJustHadToNameChange]

I had a 3/4 length, light grey, Dannimac raincoat.

I love it.

After doing some DIY, I managed to do some bleaching damage to one of the cuffs.

I researched and found dyes for synthetic fibres and bought grey for a first go and black if the first attempt went wrong.

The first attempt barely took.

For the dye to work, it has to be used at high temperatures (instructions state "rolling boil") and so I tried the black.

I boiled. I boiled and stirred. And stirred. And boiled. And stirred.

After more than the recommended hour, I rinsed and washed.

It's now multiple shades of grey.

The plastic buttons and the labels dyed jet black, the lining is dark charcoal and the coat looks like a failed tie dye attempt in shades of grey.

The bleaching damage is still visible.

Looking online, I can only find industrial dyers of fabric and garments and those who offer a dyeing service state no synthetics.

Does anyone know anyone who dyes synthetic garments?

Does anyone know how to dye synthetic garments?

Nothing?

If you have a faceache account I'd look up some cosplay pages and ask there? If any community would know about dyeing synthetic fibres it'd be them

A machine dye might work better. It's very hard to know how things will turn out.

Was it clean before you did it? That can make a difference and if it's a raincoat, any sort of coating will cause variations too

You can’t dye over bleach.

Tried various dye-jobs over years..never found anything to adequately dye synthetic/polyester/viscose as any machine stitching,buttons,detail always ends up different..waste of time/money as the dyes&correctors expensive &messy

I’m sorry - I think you should save the time and money and just buy a new one.

I've had some great successes with Rit dyes. All-purpose for natural fibres and DyeMore for synthetics. I don't think they are available in shops here so I've bought them from eBay or Amazon. The Color Remover is great for removing colour from fabrics to white or very near white to get a blank canvas to start from.

Rit have a list of a good range of adjustable colour formulas on their website and full instructions.

Used the stovetop method yesterday to dye several synthetic and natural items and all have dyed evenly and to the correct colour.

www.ritdye.com

Prior to the dye attempts, I washed the coat thoroughly to get rid of the proofing layer - normal detergents easily do this.

Thanks for your replies.

Polyester does not take dye well. Garments are manufactured with yarn dyed fabric.

Proper research prevents piss poor performance, OP

*polyester garments

I know, I know.

What's pissing me off is that the stitching and buttons have both come out beautifully.

The rest of the coat, not so much. 🤔