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Thread: Dye-ing your own Brake Fluid?

  1. #1
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    Dye-ing your own Brake Fluid?

    SuperBlue is pretty expensive compared to regular DOT4, but it being blue is very convinient for flushing.

    Maybe we can have the best of both worlds? I was thinking about adding a few drops of blue food coloring to my next bottle of DOT4, but then I remembered that food coloring is water-based. However, it would only be about 5 drops in a 16oz bottle. Really not much.

    A second consideration would be the dry powdered dye from RIT. I would imagine that just a pinch of that stuff would give the fluid enough color, without adding water.

    What do you think? Would a pinch of RIT Dye be safe?


    Summer 2017

  2. #2
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    loco

    are u out of your mind??? we call that loco(crazy in the head) here in tucson-leave it red or change it to blue fluid

  3. #3
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    err... 1. brake fluid isn't red. 2. calling me loco gets this thread nowhere.

    It's pretty obvious you really don't know one way or the other, and are just giving a knee-jerk reaction. I'll wait for an answer with some explanation and proof, thanks.


    Just think: what does ATE dye their SuperBlue with? I'm pretty sure it would be along the lines of a dry powder.

    Summer 2017

  4. #4
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    Putting anything in your fluid is crazy. You put that powder in then how are you going to mix it? How are you going to be sure it doesn't react with the fluid and turn to sludge a week later. How are you going to be sure it doesn't gum up the Master or calipers or the clutch Master and slave. You might as well put mud in it to turn it black.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by flyfishvt View Post
    Putting anything in your fluid is crazy. You put that powder in then how are you going to mix it? How are you going to be sure it doesn't react with the fluid and turn to sludge a week later. How are you going to be sure it doesn't gum up the Master or calipers or the clutch Master and slave. You might as well put mud in it to turn it black.
    +1 for powder

    as for the water based coloring; it would never mix no matter how hard you tried.

  6. #6
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    Given the price of the fluid with the coloring in it already vs the cost of a contaminated brake system, I'd go with buying the pre-colored stuff.

    It really takes less than a thimble full of the wrong fluid to destroy an entire brake system. Not worth the risk.

  7. #7
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    since i am so stupid (again you were the one that started the thread not I) my recommendation is to add a little of both and that way it will be SUPER BLUE

  8. #8
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    I've never understood why people start a thread to ask if something is a good idea, then when the responses come in saying it isn't, then the defenses go up. Perhaps it isn't best to call the OP crazy though.

    I would not use rit dye or food coloring. You are right that food color is water based, and putting water in your brake system is worse than not bleeding it to begin with.

    I don';t know what rit dye is. It is powder based, but does it mix with ATF, and even if it does, does it never turn back to powder, does it handle the heat, etc. Too many unknowns.

    Here is an assortment of dyes more appropraite for your use: http://www.nextag.com/engine-oil-dye/products-html

    However, all of these are about as expensive as super blue. I see super blue available for $12. Are you sure this is not feasible for your budget?
    Thomas

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  9. #9
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    Adding powder to your brake system is not a good idea. Adding water-based dye to the hygroscopic fluid in your steel brake system is also a bad idea.

    Just pony up the cash for the good fluid. On a street car, you only have to spend that money every couple of years.
    1998 323is

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  10. #10
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    Old thread but maybe try a hydrolic fluid dye not saying its the best idea but its ur car to each his own

  11. #11
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    whats the point in the first place?
    "So we've come to the conclusion that BMW just has parts laying around they decide to throw on cars for no reason."

    Interest on a Very Budget Supercharger Build??



  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by MisterM52 View Post
    whats the point in the first place?
    it's been used for years by racers who swap fluid often. You use 2 different colored fluids. That way you know when all the old stuff is out when you start to see the new color. Unfortunately it's not legal in the U.S. Now.

  13. #13
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    hey all friends , do not dye/color your brake fluid period. just pay attention to your bleeder clear hose , take a picture when it first came out ( it should be darker ) until you see it clear ,compare your photo picture. for me that works i hope you it will work with you too.

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