Re-dying MOLLE packs

I had dyed a couple of UCP MOLLE packs and they didn't work very well in my local environment so I re-dyed them with improved results. A little bit of a how-to on dying synthetic material.
No offense intended towards anybody, but I really dislike the bright orange, red, yellow and blue colors that so many wear in the field. It's not just about remaining unseen and left alone. All that unnatural color spoils the view for other people.

[@derektorres6260]

They may not be pretty, but they're more environmentally friendly than UCP camo is. Thanks for sharing

[@Billofthenorth1]

Aesthetically, anything looks better lol

[@WallyMagin]

Can you show us how the equipment looks against the actual trees and shrubs in the background? I've seen videos like Brent0331 does and seeing the results in actual woods would be better for me. Maybe others, too. Thanks.

[@hoopoo3721]

Your diy job is still looking better than original. I used 3 cans of black Plasti dip spray on the outside of my 3 day pack. She is mostly rubberized, waterproof and heavier. Shame I didn't see your video first.

[@Billofthenorth1]

Mine aren't waterproof, so I guess there are trade offs. Sometimes a spray can is faster and less messy, sometimes dye is better.

[@sfraise]

I'm getting ready to try tie dying tiger stripe patterns with kelly green, dark green and dark brown on surplus ACU shirt and pants. In my head it seems like it will work well but we'll see lol.

[@Billofthenorth1]

I hope it does. I hope you show the results.

[@jaredwiggins539]

@@Billofthenorth1 1nce/after I get the full matching Grayish/Greyish UCP (Universal Camouflage Pattern) I'll be saving it strictly as primary 4 wilderness during snowy winter & concrete jungles/urban environments that have lots of Gray/Grey do 2 it's color scheme (slate gray, foliage green (urban green) & whiteish desert sand) when wearing it with my Medium Sized OD (Olive Drab) Green 3 Day MOLLE Backpack given a Multicolor Foliage Green (Urban Green/Olive Drab-Gray/Grey) exterior loadout!

[@davidbusey931]

I'd like to go for a deeper Ranger Green. Can you recommend a dye color or mixture and proportion of multiple colors to get there? RIT makes a "Dark Green" and an "Emerald Green". Maybe onea those and a smidge of Black? Maybe the Apple Green (+black) is still the ticket?

[@Billofthenorth1]

From what I've read, Ranger green sounds like it has more brown than olive drab does but with less "green saturation" whatever that means. I think its going to be hit or miss trying to match a color with these dyes, especially if the item already has color to it. There are so many variables, you'd almost have to run a series of test swatches to see what comes close.

[@fireteammichael1777]

Thanks for sharing this! Are those main bags from MOLLE II rucks? And in your 1st time doing those, did you use the same rit apple green? General purpose or whatever it's called.. But those turned out great! I'm hoping to get results somewhere around the one you called "lighter OD." So was curious about 1st dye job you did, also I dont bother to follow their instructions either, but was curious if you went below or above what instructions recommend. I plan on experimenting on acu pants and coats 1st, before attempting a MOLLE ruck. (And I realize and expect varying results in color/shade due to condition and wear of items, level of fade, etc. Not to mention appearances are going to vary just from color display across multiple imaging and display devices, as well as factors from the actual dying process). But great video; those turned out awesome!

[@Billofthenorth1]

These are the large MOLLE II rucks. The light or medium OD ruck re-dyed with apple green just looked right when it was done. It was originally dyed with dark green and brown, about a half bottle each and I don't think I soaked it as long in the dye. I did try to make the flap darker by soaking it about twice as long as the rest of the pack. I was experimenting. I was able to get several of the rucks for $3 each so why not? lol In a different video I dyed one pack just apple green and it's my favorite aesthetically but doesn't blend as well with the local foliage as these darker ones. Thanks for your comments.

[@fireteammichael1777]

@@Billofthenorth1 thank YOU! I recently discovered this technique and have a few acu items I'm going to try. But 1st on trousers and shirts.. eventually I'd try my large MOLLE II ruck.. and $3?!?!?! Wow

[@Billofthenorth1]

@@fireteammichael1777 Let me know how the uniforms go. I want to get some and dye them as well for hunting etc.

[@derektorres6260]

If you go on the rit website they have recipes for different colors, but of course how the color looks could be affected by the pattern of the ACU colors. I have been thinking of experimenting with this myself.

[@StevenTheAristolianNerd]

Of you want the dye to stay buy the dye fixative with it.

[@thedart400]

Giving this a shot tonight.

[@Billofthenorth1]

best of luck.

[@thedart400]

In my honest opinion the result in the video looks identical to the emr flora ratnik that the russians use. Its a damn good camo. But the acu has a much larger pixelation pattern so the difference is noticeable while the coloring is super close.

[@thedart400]

How much dye to how much vinegar to how much water? I dont know if i missed the mix amount. Can someone tag a time stamp if i missed it?

[@Billofthenorth1]

I used either a whole bottle of dye, or mixed two half bottles of different colors, depending on the items in question. There is a recommended amount of vinegar but I just poured "what seemed like enough". The vinegar helps the dye get into the fabric, so I think a little more won't hurt. I think you can find specific directions on the RIT dye website or see what other people have done.

[@thedart400]

@@Billofthenorth1 thank you for the quick reply. I have a few large ruck sacks to try this on this weekend. Your videos are great.

[@Billofthenorth1]

@@thedart400 Thanks for watching.

[@jamesw151]

I tryed the Apple green dye just didn't like it .. the dark green dye in my opinion is way better

[@Billofthenorth1]

My preference is the apple green, just more pleasing to my eye but I think the darker green would be more effective in the woods here. The apple green seems more jungle-like. As the apple is a lighter shade, you should be able to darken it. You can't really do it the other way around.

[@jamesw151]

@@Billofthenorth1 lol yeah I found out the hard way I tried dark green on top of the apple green that I already made it just made it brighter green but it still looks nice wish I could take some still pictures to show you it's pretty cool looking

[@19stump65]

I've done a pack and some gp pouches twice haven't even discolored them ?

[@Billofthenorth1]

I had a few pouches that wouldn't take any dye. Not sure why, but it could be the material or water proofing.

[@Billofthenorth1]

Maybe have to paint those.

[@DylanHutto]

What if I dyed a harness and pouches that were Coyote Brown/Khaki? How well would that turn out?

[@Billofthenorth1]

It would be interesting to see the result. You'd have to go darker, so you might wind up with dark brown, green or black. Depends on the material also. The MOLLE waist belts don't seem to take dye too well, but the straps do. Let us know how it turns out.

[@DylanHutto]

@@Billofthenorth1 I will, thank you for the info!