Pvc Dye

Decided to make a graveyard fence this year. Got the columns done, and was faced with how best to paint the pvc. Have read many posts on the best method. Most suggest using krylon or other such paints for plastic. This seemed to work pretty well, but I went another way. I used PVC dye. The result was pretty amazing. There are a couple of YouTube videos on dying PVC and I basically followed their method. Step 1: Go on Amazon or Ebay and purchase a bottle of black Rekhaoil petroleum dye. The small bottle is about $22, but believe me, it goes a long way. Step 2: Go to your favorite big box store and purchase a 16 oz can of clear PVC cleaner. I think it was about $15. Make sure it's cleaner and not glue. Step 3: Pour appox 12 ml of the Rekhaoil into the pvc cleaner and shake well. The cleaner comes with a bottle brush. Step4: Use the PVC cleaner brush to apply the dye to the PVC. Put something down because it's gonna drip. Also, double glove. I found out the hard way that the only thing that will get the dye off your skin is acetone. Your first pass will clean the PVC, open it's pores, and leave a blueish haze on the piece. Continue to rub the dye onto the PVC until it looks black, wet, and shiny. Step 4: Watch the magic happen. The PVC will dry to the touch in about 15 minutes. You'll notice that it is now a flat black color with,what looks to me, rusty aging. My neighbor thought the pieces were real iron. I did 100 pieces of 40 inch PVC with one bottle of dye and 2 and 1/2 cans of 16 oz PVC cleaner.
This is a permanent alternative to paint, and should stand up to the elements since the dye has permeated the PVC. Here are a few Pics. The camera and garage lighting does not do justice on how these really look in natural light.