This article is part of Disc Tree's mini-series on Disc Dye , where we delve into different techniques for personalizing your discs. In this guide, we'll take you through the process step by step.
The shaving cream method is by far the easiest and most straightforward way to get started coloring your discs. It requires few materials and the results can be very satisfying, even for beginners. In this guide, we'll take you through the process step by step.
Materials you will need:
- Shaving foam: You can use the cheapest type you can find. There is no need to use an expensive variety.
- A dish: It should be larger in diameter than your disc. A beach frisbee also works well – just remember that it should not be used for cooking afterwards.
- Dye: We recommend iDye Poly or Pro Chemical Dye, both of which are easy to work with and suitable for plastic discs. The dye comes as a powder and you don't need to prepare it further for use.
- Dough scraper or spoon: Used to smooth out the shaving foam.
- Cotton swab or brush: Used to distribute the color powder with precision.
- Long ruler or similar: To smooth out the shaving foam and ensure an even surface.
- Gloves: The dye can be difficult to wash off your hands, so it's a good idea to wear gloves.
- Old tea towel or towel: For drying hands and disc after washing.
With the materials in place, you are now ready to get started. We will walk you through the process step by step below so you can easily and safely complete your dye project.
How to color your disc with the shaving foam method
Step 1: Preparing the disc
Before you begin, wash your disc thoroughly with warm water and dish soap. Use a soft sponge or your hands to avoid scratching the disc. This will remove dirt and any silicone residue that could affect your dye result.
Step 2: Setting up your workstation
Cover your work surface well with newspapers or an old towel as the paint can spread easily. Wear gloves to avoid getting paint on your hands.
Step 3: Make the shaving foam base
It is now time to make your shaving foam base so you can color your disc. You start by getting shaving foam into your dish. In the pictures in this guide, use a beach frisbee/ultimate frisbee as the dish.
There are two different ways you can distribute your shaving foam base depending on the result you want. You can make a flat base or a cone-shaped base. With the cone-shaped base you can create a little extra movement in the pattern of the finished result. Here's how you do it:
- Flat bottom: Fill your dish with shaving cream and smooth it out with a pastry scraper. If you wish, you can add a little water to make the shaving cream easier to work with. Use a ruler or similar to smooth the surface completely – the smoother the surface, the better the result will be. Remember that small indentations can create air pockets, which can affect the color pattern on your disc.
- Conical bottom: Make a cone shape in the shaving foam by building a medium-high cone in the middle of your dish. Again, it is important to get the surface as smooth as possible and avoid air bubbles on the surface of the shaving foam as these will create holes in your dye.
Step 4: Add the color
Now it's time to add the color. The color comes in a small bag of powdered color. For this method, you can use the powder directly, and you just need to open the package. To distribute the color into the shaving foam, carefully dip your brush or cotton swab into the powder and use it to sprinkle the powder into the foam. Do not stick the brush or cotton swab into the shaving foam, but simply use it to carefully sprinkle the color powder.
Plan your pattern before you start sprinkling the coloring powder.
A little tip: Hold the brush or swab about 20 cm from the surface when sprinkling the color. Remember not to use too much color – a thin layer is enough.
Step 5: Place the disc in the foam
It's time to dip your disc into the color. Depending on whether you made a cone shape or a flat shape, you can dip the disc into the shaving foam in two ways:
- Flat placement: Hold the disc by the edge and carefully roll it into the foam from one side. Apply light pressure so that it sinks into the foam without excess foam floating up the back of the disc.
- Cone-shaped placement: Make a cone shape in the shaving foam and distribute the colors on the cone. When placing the disc, slowly rotate it while pressing down. This will create a swirl effect on your disc.
Step 6: Waiting time and color absorption
Now comes the biggest challenge – the waiting time. Depending on how intense you want the color, the disc can stay in the shaving foam for anywhere from 2 hours to several days. We recommend leaving the disc in the foam for 8-10 hours for a good result. When the time is up, rinse the disc off with warm water and you are ready to use it.
Above you see the results of our dyes from this guide.
Color choices and tips for shaving foam dye
Be careful with your color choice. The colors will blend together while the disc is in the shaving foam, so avoid using too many colors, which can cause browning. If in doubt, you can always use a color wheel to make sure the colors compliment each other.
Closing and cleaning
After you remove the disc, remember to dispose of excess shaving foam and dye in an environmentally friendly manner.
We hope you can use this guide and we would love to share the results of your project with a tag on social media. The guide has been created in collaboration with Troels Ellehammer, who runs disc.dye.dk on Instagram. On his Instagram page you can find even more pictures and get inspired for your next project. Enjoy your next shaving foam dye project.
If you need white discs for your next DIY project or polyester dye, you'll find it all right here on the website. We also have a large selection of colored discs for inspiration.