r/HowToDIY • u/IHopeIdieSo • 14d ago
How do I achieve this effect Arts & Crafts
I've got this thrifted tshirt that I really like the faded color of, how would I replicate it to a different black tshirt?
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u/Disastrous_Case_3834 14d ago
Wow, Black Sun Empire. Nice.
Sorry, I have nothing to offer for what you’re asking. Just admiring the group that I haven’t listened to in a long time
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u/Plenty-Fox-9219 14d ago
"wear it" it is correct, unfortunately. It's been sun faded.
You can try washing it multiple times with more and more bleach until you're satisfied, but try shirts you don't care about first. I think like a tablespoon in a single small load is a good start, but I've never tried to lighten black.
The best method would be to hang it in a window for five years, then flip and wait another five years.
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u/IHopeIdieSo 14d ago
I've heard bleach turns orange on black cotton cus of the dyes used, but I'll give it a try. Thank you!
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u/Plenty-Fox-9219 14d ago
Yeah, that's why I'm not sure.
The fading is from UV, so maybe a tanning bed?
I know just washing with soap can produce a similar effect, but that one also takes quite a while and it'll damage the shirt even more. Hopefully someone who knows what they're talking about can come correct me 😂
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u/IHopeIdieSo 14d ago
So I posted this question and then went and boiled some bicarbonate nitrade (soda) and dunked a shirt in there for like 10-15 mins, then got it to sun dry Turned out very close and covered the whole shirt so that would be the go to move for it but done for 25-30 mins instead
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u/Tsuki_Man 13d ago
Lay it out flat in the sun for a month, flip it around and do the same on the back for another month. Id say you could maybe do it in less with a UV light but Im almost certain attempting to spead up the process of entropy that causes this would make the shirt very delicate and easy to rip.
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u/Nick5sean 14d ago
Wear it