Hey guys, just a quick question regarding dyeing.
The coveralls that I currently have are light gray Big Macs, and I’m looking to dye them a darker charcoal color. I understand that the best way to dye clothes is with warm water but I’m scared of shrinking them, so any advice on how to avoid this would be much appreciated. Plus, how many packs of black dye would I need to get them the right color?
Thanks,
Manco
I’m not sure Manco, but I’m gonna be watching this thread cause I have the same Big Macs that need to be darker, also need to add green to my navy roebucks for H2. To give the spruce green look to them.
I got Rit Dye and used my washer. The plastic parts of the washer absorbed a bit of the dye, but otherwise it didn’t harm my washer at all. From light to dark grey, and with that much fabric, I’d probably start with two packages of powdered black Rit-Dye, and work up from there (better to under-dye than over-dye and turn them black.) I had to dye mine a couple of times with various shades of blues, greens, and black mixed in to get them from light tan to charcoaly.
Surely someone with more knowledge will give their two cents, but this was my experience.
Any advice is much appreciated 
I’ve never tried the washing machine dyes, but from what you say they seem worth a shot.
Ive always used a bucket but im not very experienced in dyeing coveralls, im suprised no one has chimed in here. A lot of people have dyed, weathered them here. Surely theres some stuff in search have you looked back at those? I know I’ve read them before.
I recall seeing a thread on Big Mac dyeing not long ago, but it was a tutorial on how to dye them olivewood-ish, not charcoal. In case you’re wondering, this is the thread in question: https://forum.michael-myers.net/t/big-mac-dying-experiment-a-success/47403/1
I bought a white pair of Big Macs the other day for a cheap price. I want to dye them as well. Think there was a member on here that did that. Can’t remember his username though.
Heres a few of mine.
Those coveralls are gorgeous, Crimson 
The pair third from the right are the sort of color I’m aiming for.
Thank you.
There’s other name brands to look at…
Big Yank.
Big Ben.
Big Bear.
Wrangler.
Some of these matchup well with Big Mac’s.
Gah, what is this obsession with the word “Big”? 
Anyway, I’ve checked 'em out and they look pretty awesome. I especially like the fact that the ones I’ve seen don’t have that pesky seam on the back like most Big Macs do.
Hey guys, sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I just thought I’d post a quick update on how the dyeing of the Big Macs went. With some advice from Jim, I went ahead and used an entire pack of Dylon Velvet Black Wash & Dye, and here are the results:
By the way, does anyone know any sites that sell Roebucks/Reed coveralls and ships to the UK? So far I’ve had no luck in finding one.
Just had to take a quick second to congratulate you on getting some info on your inquiry. I didn’t get so much as one damn response on either thread I posted about dyeing/weathering coveralls. After a bunch of research I decided to just buy some Red Kap coveralls and screen test them. They work just fine.
I had been planning on buying a pair of Reed’s and dyeing them, but honestly, I don’t see the need at this point. To address your question though, the only place I’ve actually seen Reed coveralls for sale is eBay. Even Reed’s own website doesn’t offer a purchase option and they also don’t respond to inquiries about how one goes about giving them money for their product. Has to be one of the more bizarre situations I’ve encountered in this hobby. Definitely check the Bay though.