# GB2 Charcoal Grey Suit - Pictures and Dye Recipe **URL:** \ **Category:** Uniforms\ **Created:** [March 22, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668 "2008-03-22T20:16:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rayban](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/e47774/32.png) [@Rayban](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Rayban)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 2:29am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668/21 "2008-07-22T02:29:48Z")
> [@thor2015](#): > > I e-mailed Rothco and got no definitive answer from them. > > Right now my wife and I are in the process of purchasing a house so a lot of our stuff is getting boxed up and ready to move. I should be settled in at the beginning of August and at that time if nothing else is found out, I will order another Rothco uniform and bleach it twice without letting it soak and see what color I get. I saw the pictures of your uniform, Dan and I think that these photos coupled with the experience I had leads me to believe that the reddish brown color I saw washing out of my suits did not completely come out of yours and this is what is making the uniform appear brown. I think if just a tad more brown had come out of the suit you would get the grey that Teliwhy and I did with our suits. > > On the bright side, this may be a good way to get a brown RGB suit. > > Any new developments on your end? Yeah if I would have bleached it better It would have come out more grey. But in person it looks like all the promo photos from GB2. (Like the cover of the movie/soundtrack) For me it’s good enough but maybe at a later date I’ll get another black suit and have another go. Oh and I added more photos of me wearing the suit: [http://www.gbfans.com/fans/props/uniforms/1348/](http://www.gbfans.com/fans/props/uniforms/1348/) ---
**Author:** ![Rayban](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/e47774/32.png) [@Rayban](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Rayban)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2008, 11:43pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668/22 "2008-07-26T23:43:04Z")
Well I took the patches off and am having another go with the dying. I’ll let you know how it turns out this time. ---
**Author:** ![Rayban](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/e47774/32.png) [@Rayban](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Rayban)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2008, 4:00pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668/23 "2008-07-27T16:00:09Z")
Well this is the best I can do: About what it looks like in person (indoors) ![image](http://www.gbfans.com/images/fans/props/1348_1303265910.jpg) Maybe what it looks like in sunlight?: ![image](http://www.gbfans.com/images/fans/props/1348_1290270061.jpg) It’s still not as accurate as I would like. I ended up using RIT color remover AND bleach in a bucket and let it soak for about 30 mins and didn’t seem to remove any color! So I washed it twice in about a cup of bleach and let it soak for 15 min each run and finally got it to a dark grey with white specks. I then washed with detergent and dried. Then I dyed with half bottle of RIT navy blue liquid dye with a touch of black dye and 1/4 cup salt. After the dye I washed again with detergent and dried. ---
**Author:** ![thor2015](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@thor2015](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/thor2015)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2008, 4:49pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668/24 "2008-07-27T16:49:26Z")
The grey with white specks was where I was after bleaching and I simply used the navy blue Rit dye, and then did a couple of wash cycles to take some of the excess blue out. Looks good! ---
**Author:** ![Rayban](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/e47774/32.png) [@Rayban](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Rayban)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2008, 5:09pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668/25 "2008-07-27T17:09:33Z")
> [@thor2015](#): > > The grey with white specks was where I was after bleaching and I simply used the navy blue Rit dye, and then did a couple of wash cycles to take some of the excess blue out. Looks good! What temp of water did you wash it in? With detergent? Maybe I’ll wash my suit again… To me it seems too dark. Maybe a few washes will lighten it up? ---
**Author:** ![thor2015](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@thor2015](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/thor2015)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2008, 8:55pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668/26 "2008-07-27T20:55:48Z")
I put plain hot water in the washer and agitated the suits by hand (wearing rubber gloves of course). The first time I did this, the water got very dark. After sloshing them around for a few minutes I drained the washer, refilled and repeated the process until the water appeared clear after agitation. I really think the suit looks good and even if you got a tad lighter with it I think it would be just fine. I’m glad you were able to get rid of the brown in the suit. If I can be of any further help, let me know. ---
**Author:** ![Rayban](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/e47774/32.png) [@Rayban](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Rayban)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2008, 9:51pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668/27 "2008-07-27T21:51:00Z")
> [@thor2015](#): > > I put plain hot water in the washer and agitated the suits by hand (wearing rubber gloves of course). The first time I did this, the water got very dark. After sloshing them around for a few minutes I drained the washer, refilled and repeated the process until the water appeared clear after agitation. > > I really think the suit looks good and even if you got a tad lighter with it I think it would be just fine. I’m glad you were able to get rid of the brown in the suit. If I can be of any further help, let me know. OK. I think I’m going to wash them one more time with hot water and call it done. It does look a lot better without the brown tint. Thanks for all of your help! 🆒 And I ordered a GB2 logo with a Stantz tag. I’ll save the other I have for a khaki suit. ---
**Author:** ![DarkSpectre](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/958977/32.png) [@DarkSpectre](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/DarkSpectre)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2008, 12:20pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668/28 "2008-10-06T12:20:39Z")
My brother and I have been discussing this. He’s getting my Navy uniform and is really jonesing for a charcoal uniform. We were thinking about using the following: - 1 box of Color Stripper - 1 box of Black RIT Powder We’re assuming that 1 box of stripper will lighten the navy enough that when mixed with the black powder dye bath, that it will come out Charcoal. We’ll post some pics after Halloween. I’ve forbid him to dye the uniform until Halloween is over just in case he, well, destroys it in the process. More to come… ---
**Author:** ![thor2015](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@thor2015](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/thor2015)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2008, 10:08pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668/29 "2008-10-07T22:08:27Z")
Have you thought about using a charcoal gray or some other color to mix with the blue? The only thing I am concerned with is that while mixing black and blue can yield charcoal gray, the black dye can very quickly override the original fabric color. I know you probably plan on doing small amounts at a time, but as I said- be careful as the black dye is pretty good at doing its job. [http://www.ritdye.com/Create+Custom+Color.9.lasso](http://www.ritdye.com/Create+Custom+Color.9.lasso) This is a link to a custom color chart using different quantities of Rit dye mixed together. It’s worked pretty well for me so far. ---
**Author:** ![Jairus](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@Jairus](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Jairus)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 3:43am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668/30 "2009-05-13T03:43:31Z")
Forgive the thread necro, but I have an update. After a few years and a few washings, my suit had lightened a bit. I redyed in the sink with about a half cup of navy blue liquid RIT with a splash of black added to get it back to its original color. This is after a washing or two, so you should be safe to put it through the washing machine once or twice before having to redye. Dry cleaning at home is still your best bet between wearings, but after so much sweat and grime, you’ve just got to put it through the washer. If the suit lightens, just hit it with a small amount of navy and black liquid RIT mixed. Sink or stove-top with scalding water, as always. The results I’ve had from those are way better than the washer ---
**Author:** ![dtblack](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/4bbf92/32.png) [@dtblack](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/dtblack)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 8:53am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668/31 "2009-06-29T08:53:37Z")
Does anyone know if something like this would work on a Black Nomex? ---
**Author:** ![Jairus](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@Jairus](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Jairus)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 5:45pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668/32 "2009-06-29T17:45:55Z")
> [@dtblack](#): > > Does anyone know if something like this would work on a Black Nomex? No. Nomex is synthetic. It will not lighten significantly or take dye. I’ve been repeating this until I’m blue in the face in multiple threads. I repeat: Nomex is synthetic. It will **\*\*NOT \*\*** significantly lighten OR take dye. Ever. ---
**Author:** ![dtblack](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/4bbf92/32.png) [@dtblack](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/dtblack)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 7:03pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668/33 "2009-06-29T19:03:22Z")
If that’s the case why is it I’ve seen people talking about dyeing their desert tan nomex’s to a something a little more grey? ---
**Author:** ![RuBain](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/rubain/32/6003_2.png) [@RuBain](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/RuBain)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 8:00pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668/34 "2009-06-29T20:00:40Z")
> [@dtblack](#): > > If that’s the case why is it I’ve seen people talking about dyeing their desert tan nomex’s to a something a little more grey? Because they still end up khaki at the end, with a barely noticeable gray depending on the lighting. I would assume with a black nomex, very little to color would show, if any, as Jarius said previously. If you’re very picky about your suit color, get a tru-spec or rothco. Otherwise, just get a black nomex and call it good. ---
**Author:** ![Jairus](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@Jairus](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Jairus)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 10:33pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668/35 "2009-06-29T22:33:24Z")
> [@Jairus](#): > > RIT dye does not work well on synthetic fibers; it states as much on the back of the package. The most you can hope to do is tint the suit. > [@Jairus](#): > > Nomex is a synthetic material, and as such does not take dye very well at all. The most you can hope to do is tint it, > [@Jairus](#): > > You also shouldn’t have to dye a Nomex suit, and it is indeed fairly difficult to do much more than tint one. ---
**Author:** ![kind2311](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/kind2311/32/187468_2.png) [@kind2311](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/kind2311)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2009, 8:16pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668/36 "2009-07-18T20:16:49Z")
> [@Tru-Spec Recipe - Jairus](#): > > Coming soon. I was able to get my black Tru-Spec to a suitable GB2 Charcoal Gray using Bleach, RIT Liquid Navy Blue and Dark Green dyes and some really hot water. If you cant do this on a stove or over a flame then it is very important in all steps that you have the water as hot as your house’s hot water heater can get it, so go find it and turn its temperature up all the way . . .and be sure to warn others in the house that you have done so and also be sure to turn it back down when you’re done . . . 😊 **\*\*Instructions:** Wash and dry the suit several times with fabric softener sheets before attempting to bleach/dye Use at least 2 cups of bleach in a medium load of VERY HOT water, repeat if necessary until the entire suit is an even reddish/brown color. Dye with 1/2 bottle each of RIT Liquid Navy Blue and Dark Green dyes, following the prep instructions on the bottle. Let the suit agitate in the dye bath for about 30 min, then shut off the washer and pull the suit out slightly and un-twist the arms and legs that have surely become twisted with the agitation, then let the suit soak for without agitation 30 min. Then turn the washer back on its longest wash cycle and let it finish. After the washer completes it’s full cycle, take the suit outside and hose it down good until the water running out of the suit is clear. **Check against reference pics both outside in the sun and inside with camera flash on and off.\*\*** I had to bleach my Tru-Spec 3 times before I got an even color removal. I think this is due to not using enough bleach and not having the water hot enough at first. If I had to do this again, I would probably use 2 or 3 boxes of RIT color remover instead of bleach, just to see which worked better. It may take more than one dye bath to bring it to on-screen color. If you dye and find out that the suit still has a red tint then dye again with a little more green to neutralize the red. If the suit turns out too green then just add some blue. very easy. ![image](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/kind2311/IMG_2347-1.jpg) ![image](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/kind2311/IMG_2365.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![shodanmark](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/shodanmark/32/6715_2.png) [@shodanmark](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/shodanmark)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2009, 11:09am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668/37 "2009-08-01T11:09:03Z")
I just got hold of a navy blue tru-spec. Any tips on getting this to charcoal grey guys? I was thinking of using bleach then adding some black to it. I’ve never done this before. ---
**Author:** ![spooky](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/spooky/32/188552_2.png) [@spooky](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/spooky)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2009, 12:39pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668/38 "2009-08-01T12:39:38Z")
I don’t think bleach would be a good idea Try soaking it with 2 boxes of color remover first rinse and let it dry Then try giving it a splash of black I’d say around 2 or 3 ounces Someone else may have some different advice, but this is what I was thinking about trying. ---
**Author:** ![thor2015](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@thor2015](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/thor2015)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2009, 6:04pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668/39 "2009-08-02T18:04:18Z")
Depends. If the navy blue is anything like the khaki, good luck getting any color out. However, let me know if you do decide to try it. I am tired of buying uniforms just to experiment with. ---
**Author:** ![JayM](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/jaym/32/311_2.png) [@JayM](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/JayM)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 1:53pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668/40 "2009-08-04T13:53:37Z")
Yeah I found out about the nomex from my own experience. I tried dyeing my khaki nomex to GB2 using a mix of some black with more purple and dark blue. The khaki nomex turned a bit gray and then when I washed it, all of the dye came right out being completely rejected. [Previous page](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/gb2-charcoal-grey-suit-pictures-and-dye-recipe/13668.md?page=3)