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 lotion method for disc dyeing is a popular and versatile way to paint your discs, and it gives you a lot of options for creating beautiful patterns on your disc. The lotion method is a little more involved and requires a few more items than the shaving foam method. On the other hand, you have more opportunity to be creative with your design and it is still quite simple to get started with.
Materials you will need:
- Lotion: A regular water-based lotion (e.g. body lotion). You can easily choose the cheapest one you can find, as long as it is water-based.
- 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: For the lotion method, you need to prepare your dye/paint. Read more in our introductory guide on how to prepare your dye via the link here .
- Container for dye: Dressing bottle or similar plastic bottle with spout and stopper.
- Gloves: The dye can be difficult to wash off your hands, so it's a good idea to wear gloves.
- Kitchen roll, old tea towel or towel: For drying hands and disc after washing.
Once the materials and your dye are ready, you can start painting your disc.
How to dye your disc with the lotion 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.
Both brand new and used discs need a spin. Used discs need to be washed to remove any dirt and new discs may have some silicone residue from the molding process that can affect your results.
Step 2: Setting up your workstation
Before you proceed, it is a good idea to cover the surface you are working on very well, with newspapers, an old towel, an oilcloth, etc. We also recommend that you wear gloves to avoid getting color on your hands.
Step 3: Make the lotion base
Now you need to prepare the base of lotion that you will use as the base for your project. You simply take your mold and spread a good portion of lotion in it, if you have chosen a flat disc you do not need that much and if it is a slightly more domey disc you will need more so that your disc does not end up hitting the bottom of your mold.
Tip: If the lotion you have received is very thick and difficult to get a relatively smooth surface on, you can mix in a little water and stir it well. The lotion should be free of air bubbles and still be thick enough to hold your disc.
It is very important that you get all the air bubbles out, otherwise they will create spots in your dye. You can get rid of them when using lotion by lifting your mold a few centimeters above the table and dropping it so that it hits the table. If you are using a dish it is a good idea to put a towel or similar underneath so you don't ruin anything. Repeat this process over and over again until no more bubbles appear from your lotion and you have a nice smooth surface.
Step 4: Create your pattern with your dye
Now you need to start making your pattern and as with all types of dye it is a good idea to have a plan in advance. You can think about what colors you want and what pattern you want to paint. It is almost only your imagination that sets the limit to what you can do. When you place your paint on the lotion base, be careful not to stir too much in colors that mostly just turn into brown. If you want to go a little more theoretical, you can google "Color Circle" and read more about which colors go well together.
To avoid mixing brown colors, it is also possible to separate the colors with a thin strip of black. This helps to add some shading to your pattern while keeping the colors separate.
Once you have distributed your dye in the mold you can add a little movement to your pattern, with the bottom of a paintbrush, a toothpick or similar. By drawing thin lines in the paint you can create a pattern in the paint which gives a really nice effect to the final result.
In the beginning, it can be an advantage to keep your pattern simple until you are comfortable with how colors and patterns arise and blend with each other. After that, you have free rein, whether you lay out your color in circles, stripes, zigzags or whatever you can think of, and how you manipulate it afterwards is completely up to your imagination.
When you are finished with your design it is important that you lift your base again and drop it on the table to get air bubbles out of your lotion. Better to do it 10 times too much than 1 time too little.
Step 5: Place the disc in your lotion base and paint
Now you are ready to put your disc in the paint and it is important that you get it positioned correctly. When you put it in the paint, carefully "roll" it into your lotion base. Grab the strap on the disc and put it down from one side and slowly tilt it into your lotion. Finally, you can give your disc a little pressure so that you feel it is down far enough for your lotion to cover the area to be painted. Be careful not to press too much as you may accidentally smudge your pattern a little.
Step 6: Waiting time and color absorption
In the long run, it can be a matter of taste how long you want your disc to sit in the paint. Our experience is that you get good results by letting it sit for a minimum of 3 hours and maybe up to 8-10 hours. The better the type of plastic disc you use, the shorter the time it can sit as they absorb the color better. If you have a windowsill with sun and therefore heat, this can also help reduce the time it stays in.
When the waiting time is over, you should have the disc lifted and cleaned so that you can see the result of your work. Try to lift it straight up from the bottom as much as possible, so that you avoid getting paint on the edges when you lift. This can result in a slight discoloration on the edge that cannot be washed off. Also, be careful if you have some paint on your fingers when handling the disc.
All that's left is to enjoy the beautiful result of your dye project.
Closing and cleaning
When you take your disc out of the mold, it's a good idea to scrape as much of the lotion that's on the side back into the mold as possible. This way, you won't have to rinse as much color and lotion down your sink and drain.
Remember to take care of the environment and dispose of excess color and lotion responsibly.
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 lotion-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.