Dying a Trackball?

[Rocky]

I'm working on a Marble Madness Control Panel and I want to have one ball red and one blue, like the original.  Has anyone tried dying white ones?  Do they fade?  Does the color come off on your hands? 

Anyone who has tried this let me know your experience.

Thanks,
Rocky

[Witchboard]

Why not just buy red and blue.... balls?  That didn't sound right.  Anyway, even if you did dye them, they aren't going to be the vivid colors you want, they'll end up pink and baby blue.. that is if they would even dye in the first place.

[divemaster127]

What a pain for no more than a ball cost, i would just buy one

[ErikRuud]

Buying new balls is probably the best answer, however if you are going to try and dye the ones you have, you should try and get dyes that are formulated for nylon.  They would give your best shot at good result.

[MinerAl]

Pool Balls.

#s 2 and 3 i think.

[Rocky]

Why didn't I think of BUYING them    /sarcasm off

Seriously, if I wanted to be called cheap, I wouldn't have to post on here   

I may end up buying the colored trackballs, but I was wondering if anyone had actually tried this. It sounds like no one has.  I just may have to be the first. 

[ften]

I'm working on a Marble Madness Control Panel and I want to have one ball red and one blue, like the original.  Has anyone tried dying white ones?  Do they fade?  Does the color come off on your hands? 

Anyone who has tried this let me know your experience.

Thanks,
Rocky

I dyed my white trackball brown using vinyl dye, worked pretty decent.
Wouldn't know if it will fade, but after about a year it is still the exact same color and I never had the color come off in my hand. After a while I decided I didn't like the brown color and went with a custom black cue ball, but it did work fine.
Some pictures of it...

and
http://www.fathertom.net/mame/trackball.html

-FTen

[Rocky]

F10,

Thanks for the word and the picture. I may give it a try!

[eccs19]

F10,

Thanks for the word and the picture. I may give it a try!

You may just get the balls to try it?   

[divemaster127]

I would be worried about doing this, 1 these balls are very inexpensive, 2 once you dye it the ball will not roll even, plus your sitting your self up for abnormal wear on the bearings & optical wheels in a expensive trackball, i just dont think its worth, plus cost of the dye & your time
thanks

[Kremmit]

How much does a bottle of dye cost, and how much would a replacement ball cost?  There's your decision right there, if you ask me.

[quarterback]

I would be worried about doing this, 1 these balls are very inexpensive, 2 once you dye it the ball will not roll even, plus your sitting your self up for abnormal wear on the bearings & optical wheels in a expensive trackball

I don't know if that's true.  To my knowledge, vinyl dye isn't thick like paint and shouldn't add any extra weight or lumps to the ball.

I say TRY THE DYE!!!!!!! 








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