How to dye plastics: JCS Tutorial

Dye Bath Recipe:
10 quarts BOILING water
1 cup Acetone
1/2 cup Vinegar
1/4 cup Salt
2 tbsp Dawn Dish Soap
Add appropriate amout of Rit Fabric dye to achieve desired color... (JCS black is 1 7oz bottle of Synthetic Graphite and 1 7oz bottle of All-purpose Black)
Thanks for watching!!!

[@kylehains2210]

I used your method on my MS261cm and it turned out perfect. So I then did my DeWalt impact driver and drill. Looks awesome!!

[@treecanopychannel]

John’s work is 100% through and through. No doubt his builds are reliable and the real deal ✊ glad you finally made a channel man

[@johnscustomsaws]

Thanks brother 💪

[@brendanthebattlerstafford5145]

Thanks John. Been wanting to dye some plastics for awhile now and wasn’t sure which products to use. This vid has really helped 👊

[@AaronBuchanan]

Awesome work. Thanks for being so generous with your craft!

[@ACmandem]

I would have been trying to dye my 201 plastics for another 6 months if you hadn't said they don't! very grateful! I've been head scratching that one for a while

[@AnxietyDenial]

Hey John just followed your recipe on my stihl ms260 for the air filter cover,top cover, emblem badge and tiny plastic part on the starter cord worked great thanks a lot looks great all black and white now and fits a bit more since i modded it!

[@jrhensels711]

Thanks buddy just finished up a batch of plastics with your recipe worked great man

[@richardfuerst5286]

After watching this video you have inspired me to do my old, faded STIHLS. Currently rebuilding an Ebay 064 parts saw. It going to be my play/ experimental saw! I love yours & Ironhorse's channel. Keep up the great content!

[@simpleman4224]

New sub! Found you by accident! Glad I did! Thanks for sharing!👍👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Thetreefella]

Simple man 👍 👊 💚 🌳 💚🌳

[@D_ROCK83]

Awesome buddy! Thanks for sharing your tricks! Stuff turned out great! ✊

[@deanperkins2091]

This video convinced me to try it myself. I tried to dye a stickerless Rubik's cube black, the dye was working pretty well but I think the heat warped the thin plastic. I also dyed a part of a screwdriver and that came out great.

[@Magoot2456]

So awesome man! Thanks for sharing with us how you do this!

[@williamholton5150]

Great video, thanks for sharing. You take what is already a good looking saw to the next level. Nice work!

[@kiwideann5632]

Thanks for doing this video!! just finished doing my air cover and fly wheel cover on my 500i. Looks great.

[@kevinmcclain7975]

Great video. Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks!

[@TheLaughingMan_]

MY BROTHER, thank you for the upload. Got you from Guilty of Treeson. When I top this broken down 200T, I’m gonna try and dip herrrrrr. THANKS BRO

[@johnscustomsaws]

Absolutely my man 💯

[@cuttingwoodagain]

Why can’t I comment on your great videos or get notifications???? Sorry bud, awesome channel 👍👍👍👍

[@thomasgronek6469]

Awesome, thanks for the video. I guess BBC, now means Big Black Chainsaw.

[@johnscustomsaws]

well yeah... what else would it stand for??? i better google it and see...

[@thomasgronek6469]

@@johnscustomsaws Hahahahahaha.

[@AaronBuchanan]

Awesome work. Thanks for sharing your craft!

[@Alan_Hans__]

That is so cool. I might need to do my chinasaw with this process to give it some bling. Surely if I make it fire truck red it will go faster :D

[@raystomberski4480]

Awesome job , thanks for the great videos

[@DIESELMAN8V92]

Amazing work!! wish they looked this bad ass new :)

[@kingsaws]

Thats bad ass , thanks for sharing . I'm definitely going to try this

[@ChippyOutdoors]

Dude thank you for this video! Made me pick up some stuff to try this out 💪🤟

[@danprice6270]

Nice giving that ago got I’ve got a ms200 ready for the another winter project

[@Aaron_A_Lynch]

Awesome work...I've dyed some already but it seems your recipe worked better and quicker..I'ma try it when I start my blackout farmertec 372 build..thanks for sharing...🤙🏻🪓😎

[@justinweaver8787]

Gonna look badass!!

[@nathanmcdonald1585]

On the question from the other day. I realized earlier that most of the chain covers are metal and powered coated. On the plastics. Lol hope you share your method of doing. If not it's ok. Thank you for your videos. Much learned.

[@WildAcresFarms]

I’ve dyed two saws the old-fashioned way: two bottles of black rit dye, boil them for half an hour just using water. It works. It’s definitely duller than your finish. Looking forward to trying this method. One thing to point out: DEGREASE LIKE CRAZY. A bit of oily sawdust residue will entirely prevent this process from suceeding, which is why John points out that new ones dye better. Not saturated with oil.

[@johnscustomsaws]

Yes definitely 👍 I do new plastics so I did forget to mention.. thats part of the reason for the soap in the dye bath and preheat container i was told... but I have seen parts that had really odd results probably because of oil or chemicals used to clean.. I should have mentioned that

[@itzjoerichards]

Cheers for the video mate! Any chance we could get a video on how to dye the actual saw body

[@donniejones3109]

A real Video to dye for 🤩

[@colvinwellborn]

Gonna have to try this on one of my own saws. Maybe I'll buy one of those dirt cheap aftermarket plastics sets to test it out first. Hopefully they take dye the same was as OEM.

[@tylerheard1279]

Very nice work man. I'll have to steal your technique, lol

[@Rosy_87]

That Japanese glacier water sounds amazing. I think I might have to take out a loan with my house as collateral to buy some. Do you know if they sell it in bulk? Probably get a better price that way I would think. Buy a swimming pool sized amount at a time. Does it have an expiration date for glacial freshness?

[@hulkgqnissanpatrol6121]

?

[@johnscustomsaws]

Its only sold on ebay in 20oz bottles... supply and demand mu friend... Glacier gets smaller and the price gets bigger

[@eddgaiger951]

Hey man love your videos! I’m just getting into working on my own saws and fixing things on them and seeing how you take things apart and the tips you give are really helpful! Is there any different process for doing the red colour you have on that 200t you show in this video?

[@j.d.williams6882]

awesome video brother, very informative. New sub!!

[@Mr999tis]

Would it be possible to dye the orange plastic to green with green rit dye?

[@JS-oy6nn]

I find your channel very refreshing for all the information you share. If you watch other channels say….HS101 he will literally NOT tell you the top plate angle on his chains. Like it’s some kind of Top Secret information that can’t be shared to just anyone. Very annoying. Really like 👍🏻 what you are doing.

[@johnscustomsaws]

Yeah old Jack is tight lipped lol... I just ain't like that... I also have no interest in doing dye work for people lol

[@levimeliusjr.7429]

“Nothing but the best for my customers”

[@toddjensen7816]

Hey John I wanna dye my gas tank on my 200t early version that has the separate fuel an vent hose Inside the tank has a little rubber orange seal it's not removable it's directly under the vent stub line inside the tank. Do you know if dying the tank will affect that seal thanks brother awesome channel.

[@johnscustomsaws]

You can take that out but honestly it won't hurt it if you leave it in

[@vanhalboomverzorging]

It work perfect! But how can i do the metal parts?

[@Brian-my3gd]

Awesome video. Do you happen to know if the newer style black chain brake cover and new smaller clutch cover would bolt on an ms261c that came with the older version?

[@ClintsHobbiesDIY]

Nice instruction vid. Thank you very much.

[@johnscustomsaws]

Glad you liked it

[@incidentalauditor]

Great video man how do you get your Bars to look so mean like that? Would love some advice as I been slowly moving toward custom saws.

[@bradleyclapper8378]

How did you do the Chameleon effect? I'm assuming you did the graphite black (since its that shiny color black still) & the UV color of choice but did you mix the colors together in the same pot to dip multiple times? Or did you do multiple dips of the UV color till it was a solid color you liked then do a dip or 2 of the graphite to cover over the top of the UV? I'm assuming as well that it was the latter, & you obviously have to be careful on how many times you dip into the black correct? I hope that all made sense.. Haha Plan on dying my Protos later in the week.

[@forrestheaney9059]

do you think this would work with a neon green color?

[@bikeracerdude]

*John, have you ever tried "oven cured Cerakote" on plastics? Also, do you offer the addition of a painted or decal felling index line on saws that don't come with such index lines?*

[@nathanmcdonald1585]

Could you please tell me how you get two different colors. Like on the saw on the video cover with the silver black and orange. Is there some kind of tape or something. You're build are one of a kind and how you customize your work. It's truly special. It's really crazy how some people can't see the extreme and one of a kind builds and customization you do. Mad props!!!

[@BDfoxmore]

Maybe you draw a line with silicone and keep the half you don't want outside... Just thinking, maybe you could draw stuff with silicone and dip it all inside.

[@tompearce9000]

Would the orange plastics go blue or is it safer to go with a darker colour great video mate

[@johnscustomsaws]

The guy that showed me this particular method dyed plastics all kinds of colors... I am not sure how he did it but it can be dobe

[@cbr600rrturbo]

That is cool

[@matthewvelderman900]

The first tub ( the pre wash) that just water and dishsoap? The final tub just water? Great video thanks for making it!

[@the2Atreeclimber]

Yeah

[@danchesterfield4709]

How do I get ahold of one of your built 200t's? Love your videos btw, huge fan of custom anything, great work!

[@PimSchouten]

He sadly doesn’t build saws anymore.. I do build saws. If you want I can build a custom 200T for you. I want to keep John’s legacy going by (also) keep going with 200T builds.

[@colsinclair7793]

Back and white👍🏻

[@lifeontheisle4396]

Thanks for the video Do you know if husqvarna plastic will die

[@johnscustomsaws]

Absolutely man

[@cajun3197]

The red is schmexy!

[@Thetreefella]

Well said brutha...well said 👊👍💚🌳

[@cajun3197]

@@Thetreefella 😎

[@stellaelectric1]

Will Dying a Husky make it as good as a Stihl?

[@docteur-stihl]

Yes

[@ARBOLISTAEdgarGarcia]

Tha ks for the great video

[@naturundhund]

Cool .....

[@ericthemim]

Quick question, you said 201 air filter covers won’t take the dye, I’m guessing you just paint those? 🤔 got all the stuff to do my 201 black this weekend.

[@docteur-stihl]

Good jobbbbbb

[@gtrwhip3504]

Hey John, I live in NC anyway you could work on my brand new 201 I bought today?

[@PimSchouten]

He sadly doesn’t build anymore.. what do you want done? I can build you something if you want!

[@docteur-stihl]

I can

[@kingsaws]

Do you have to add new acetone every time you do a round of dying ? Just wondering because I know acetone evaporates fairly quick when it's heated

[@justinweaver8787]

Good question

[@johnscustomsaws]

Sorry just saw this... I do add acetone every time... some always evaporates after every dye session so I end up adding water and acetone and usually a bit of dye too so it keeps it from getting diluted every... I also stopped using the vinegar.. I had a chemist convinced me it is not doing any good and he seemed like he knew what he was talking about 🤷‍♂️

[@kingsaws]

@@johnscustomsaws thanks for the reply

[@justinweaver8787]

@@johnscustomsaws thank u sir

[@cj7berry]

Can you only do black? Have you tried a bright green ?

[@docteur-stihl]

Alors ? Dis nous !! Merci

[@two-strokeworkshop1154]

Do you just order new clean parts and then dye them or how do you get the covers to look that clean

[@the2Atreeclimber]

He uses all new plastics

[@KenPaisley]

Will just boiling restore old plastics to their original color?

[@jeffjones6495]

Do you know if husqvarna orange could be done in forest green?

[@docteur-stihl]

It can

[@BDfoxmore]

How to isolate a spot of a single piece plastic to get a double colored Paint job?

[@busybeezlawnservices4125]

If I wanted to do my 020t whites to a yellow the lemon yellow from rit anything else I need to add to it or your formula and the 7 Oz of it ?

[@TheAcenightcreeper]

I thought acetone heated up would explode….especially when combined with boiling water

[@Robin_Polarstern]

Can you to chance the color from orange to light pink or pink ?

[@rottiejakeluke]

Do you take saws in to your facility to do die jobs? If so can you give me a cost? Thanks

[@docteur-stihl]

Have u had an answer ?

[@jfox9317]

I would think the acetone would evaporate almost instantly? Try MEK, Methyl Ethyl Ketone its stronger than acetone but in same family.

[@johnscustomsaws]

oh i totally agree but i have been around my man and i have learned to not mess with anything you cant easily replace or can charge my full blown labor fee... on your own a guy has to be making smart decisions or you will go under... i poke a hole in that tank or something its time and money i dont have down the tubes... its not a "lazy" thing or that i am scared to get my hands dirty... its hard lessons learned that drive my decision making

[@traviswyman6316]

Hey i just got a new stihl what about the stainless steel washer that are fixed to the covers will the dye affect that.

[@donmayberryjrsOPE]

Awesome!

[@EmpireTreeDMV]

I have two reconditioned 200t’s can I get in line to get em built?

[@daavidaviid]

Stupid question: you can't cook food with that pan afterward?

[@claudemaggard7162]

Would this work on motorcycle plastics

[@coltrutledge1534]

Did I miss the dye bath recipe?

[@johnscustomsaws]

Its in the description my man

[@antoine379]

hello, for the dye, you put the two cans of black treatment in the 10 liters of water? and half a cup is 100ml? moreover the 1/4 of salt is food salt? sorry for my english i am french :)

[@docteur-stihl]

Bonjour tu as essayé ?

[@antoine379]

@@docteur-stihl non justement j’aimerais bien mais je n’arrive pas à comprendre toute les étapes correctement et j’ai ps envie de faire de la merde..

[@docteur-stihl]

@@antoine379 je suis français aussi on en discute si tu veux . Tu habites où

[@Nitroxdude]

100% pure acetone? Any specific acetone or brand ?

[@johnscustomsaws]

I just buy generic acetone at Walmart nothing special... fingernail polish remover has dye and fragrance in it so thats why I say "pure acetone" otherwiseit's the same thing

[@NickTaylor-lm1lv]

The 194t air filter cover will not take color either. I tried green and all the white took color good.

[@Firby1988]

How long dose the dye last once you start using the saw ?

[@johnscustomsaws]

Honestly years... we used to dye our dirt bike plastics and I dyed a Yamaha 250 about 20 years ago and my buddy still has it to this day and it looks great... some fading but for 20 years of wear you can't beat that

[@ToddKing]

I understand that you aren't going to lose your saw but I don't know why you'd want to make anything black that you take into the woods or set on the ground. I'd think brighter would be better. If the saw is sitting on the ground and there is equipment moving it can be more easily seen, you'd be less likely to trip over it, ect. As an auto tech I rejoiced when they came out with bright colored tool handles. I gave away hundreds of $ of black handled tools by leaving them under the hood or various places because you just couldn't see them.

[@ericthemim]

Maybe don’t dye your saw than… 🤷🏻‍♂️ to each their own. Don’t like the idea, don’t do it! Thanks for sharing your secrets John!!! 💪🏻 🇺🇸

[@Altair885]

If you're that forgetful that you can remember where you left your saw, then perhaps you better not go into the woods in the first place, you might get lost😁

[@ToddKing]

I can see eric comments are of no value. They add nothing. He appears to be a John's Saws fanboy. And John needs to work on his reading comprehension. At no point did I say anything about not remembering where a saw was. But it is possible to walk away from your saw when there is a lot of undergrowth, come back and not be sure where it is. But I meant more that maybe someone else might need to see it. Like someone pulling up in a truck or someone running a skid loader. But that seems to have escaped you.

[@Altair885]

@@ToddKing Simple answer is don't leave it where it's likely to get run over! Seen plenty of saws in original livery get smashed that way. And I'm pretty sure that if you have a black saw, then you'd be more inclined to take special care of where you leave it anyway. Daft as it sounds it's probably better than presuming it'll be spotted by whoever is working in the area.

[@jeffreyhagelin3672]

@@ToddKing Don't dye your saw.

[@rpittman4778]

Do you know if the 194 Top Handle air filter cover will take dye?

[@NickTaylor-lm1lv]

Where'd you go dude? Make some more content or something.. damn been waiting to long

[@cbertalotto1]

Just confirming, you said you can’t dye the maxflow covers?

[@johnscustomsaws]

Nope... i have tried just about everything to get them to take dye... even pure acetone and 3 bottles of black dye leaving them cook for 4 hours straight and they just turn brown...

[@live2ski550]

​@@johnscustomsaws will the black max flow cover take dye at all? I ordered the max flow kit for my 661 and I'm wanting to dye the cylinder cover to match, but I like your black better, would be sick if I could get them both your black.

[@michaelberger6255]

What about severely oxidized plastics with the white Chalky crap that forms on the plastic, I found a ms270 on the side of the road and I’m rebuilding it and want to dye the plastics

[@the2Atreeclimber]

Need to order new plastics. The old stuff won't take the dye good

[@K8Stuff]

If some plastics won't take the dye (i.e. hard ABS) - you may need to use aceton (30% by volume) - which softens / opens up the plastics ... just need to be careful not to use too much as it melts plastics and careful you don't put acetone into hot water (lower evapuration temps compared to water).

[@the2Atreeclimber]

I like watching John's videos and I think he's a super smart guy. I want to like him all the time but then he says some stuff like about that $2,000 water and I just want to throw up on him 🤣

[@felonebike9859]

Hey John, question. Do you know of a Husqvarna orange dye? I'd like to restore mine back to original.

[@the2Atreeclimber]

Just ordered new OEM plastics

[@felonebike9859]

@@the2Atreeclimber Not gonna be able to find plastics for 50 year old saws that are OEM.

[@markcdeyoung3118]

Yeah they kind of got that almost color shifty chromaflair pop goin' on with um Cool!!!! 👍 I've got a blue Yamaha grizzly I've been trying to figure out how to get that sucker take dye and it won't take any the fenders are JUST BRUISED WHITE in places

[@smalltownwrenches4477]

lmao japanese glacier water lol good one !

[@johnkosheluk1041]

Do you know wete I can get a set of rings for a ms 661

[@haydenhanson1478]

Fun fact if you use hot glue you can make patterns in the plastic it won’t take dye where the hot glue is !

[@jonathanjonsen6069]

Hey John how does it work with green?

[@PimSchouten]

Yup

[@alessandromonizza8283]

So what about having somw different colors on the same cover? How do u eventually save the portions of the part that u don't want with that colour from gettin dyed?

[@johnscustomsaws]

Its really tricky but you can do it... I will show you guys in a video how I do it 😉

[@caleb234]

I would stay away from Aquafina... 🤣

[@hordboy]

I was kinda zoning out until you got to the Japanese glacier water part. Wait… what?😂

[@stocktonz9044]

🙌💯🔥

[@fallenknight4943]

How much for me to send you my 500i and my echo 2411t to dye?

[@docteur-stihl]

Good idea

[@larryhd3720]

Do you sell any plastics

[@johnscustomsaws]

No sorry man