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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Make:’s project colors PVC pipe and fittings by mixing solvent dye into clear PVC cleaner, applying the mixture, and letting it dry. The project describes the result as permanent and less prone to flaking than paint, but that durability claim is the author’s—not an independently verified test. Today’s clear cleaners are sold for cleaning before solvent welding, so check the specific product label and safety data sheet (SDS) before considering this DIY use.
How the Make: method works
The project’s basic approach is to mix solvent dye into clear cleaner, then apply the blend quickly and evenly to PVC pipe or fittings and let the part dry. Make: presents staining as a way to add color without a paint layer that could flake or affect a fitting’s fit. Those are the project’s stated benefits, not results established by a controlled comparison.
- Choose materials carefully. The project lists solvent dye and clear PVC cleaner. It does not establish that every dye works with every cleaner formulation.
- Prepare for solvent handling. Make: specifies nitrile gloves and safety goggles, and directs users to work in a well-ventilated workspace. Follow the label and SDS for the exact products you have.
- Mix and apply. The project says to mix the dye into the cleaner and coat the pipe or fitting quickly and evenly. It lists a pipette and paper towels among the tools.
- Let the part dry before handling or assembly. Make: says an hour is more than enough under most conditions. This is the project author’s instruction, not a cure-time specification from a cleaner manufacturer.
Because the method uses solvent products in a way their manufacturers may not specify, do not assume the coating will be uniform, suitable for every use, or compatible with a particular cleaner or dye just because both products are available.
Make:’s example dye recipes
The following are the project’s example quantities for four ounces of clear cleaner. They are reported recipe details, not mixtures independently reproduced or validated here.
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#1 Best Overall
- Size - Length of each: 17";The 1/2 inch Schedule 40 PVC pipe has an outer diameter of 0.84 inches and an inner diameter of 0.64 inches. This PVC pipe is suitable for various DIY projects.Please confirm before purchase.
- Indoor & Outdoor Material - Made of high-quality Sch40 PVC material, with high plasticity, low temperature resistance, ultraviolet resistance, impact resistance and corrosion resistance, long service life.
- Easy to Install & Efficient - Smooth surface ensures clean cuts, Installation requires only primer and solvent cement for a secure and long-lasting connection. Our SCH 40 PVC pipes ensure efficient fluid movement with a minimized risk of clogs or restrictions. Whether it's for DIY tasks or professional plumbing work, get the perfect length and reduce waste.
- Widely Used - Our white PVC pipe is suitable for various occasions, such as PVC sheds, PVC greenhouses, PVC tent connectors, PVC shelves, PVC garden support structures, water supply engineering, tent cat fences, shoe racks, PVC cages, shelf chairs, tables, shelves or garden supports, etc., bringing you a lot of convenience.
- Professional - Meets ASTM D2466 and D1784 standards, comply with NSF requirements.
| Color | Dye amount in four ounces of clear cleaner |
|---|---|
| Red | 1 mL red |
| Orange | ½ mL red plus ½ mL yellow |
| Yellow | 1 mL yellow |
| Green | ½ mL yellow plus ½ mL blue |
| Blue | 1 mL blue |
| Indigo | ⅔ mL blue plus ⅓ mL red |
| Violet | ½ mL blue plus ½ mL red |
| Brown | ⅓ mL each of red, yellow, and blue |
| “Black” | ½ ounce (15 mL) blue dye; Make: describes the result as very strong blue |
The project names Rekhaoil Red HF, Rekhaoil Yellow HF, and Rekhaoil Blue as example dyes. Its historical supplier reference does not establish current inventory, exact current formulations, or present-day compatibility with any cleaner. Verify the actual product and its label rather than relying on an old supplier reference.
What is—and is not—known about the solvent
Make: later corrected its earlier explanation that tetrahydrofuran (THF) was the key ingredient, saying that explanation was probably wrong. The correction reports that the author had been advised that methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) is the more active penetrating solvent, but the author says this was not confirmed by experiment. The page also relays a claim from Narad Marketing that pure MEK worked at least as well as or better than branded clear cleaner; Make: explicitly says it was not independently confirmed. These statements should not be treated as settled chemistry or controlled test results.
Rank #2
- Size - Length of each: 17";The 3/4 inch Schedule 40 PVC pipe has an outer diameter of 1.05 inches and an inner diameter of 0.80 inches. This PVC pipe is suitable for various DIY projects.Please confirm before purchase.
- Indoor & Outdoor Material - Made of high-quality Sch40 PVC material, with high plasticity, low temperature resistance, ultraviolet resistance, impact resistance and corrosion resistance, long service life.
- Easy to Install & Efficient - Smooth surface ensures clean cuts, Installation requires only primer and solvent cement for a secure and long-lasting connection. Our SCH 40 PVC pipes ensure efficient fluid movement with a minimized risk of clogs or restrictions. Whether it's for DIY tasks or professional plumbing work, get the perfect length and reduce waste.
- Widely Used - Our white PVC pipe is suitable for various occasions, such as PVC sheds, PVC greenhouses, PVC tent connectors, PVC shelves, PVC garden support structures, water supply engineering, tent cat fences, shoe racks, PVC cages, shelf chairs, tables, shelves or garden supports, etc., bringing you a lot of convenience.
- Professional - Meets ASTM D2466 and D1784 standards, comply with NSF requirements.
Clear cleaner is not automatically a stain product
Oatey currently lists a clear cleaner for ABS, PVC, and CPVC pipe and fittings. Its stated purpose is to remove surface dirt, oil, and other contaminants before solvent welding; its product listing does not recommend the cleaner for staining PVC. The listing includes 4-, 8-, 16-, and 32-ounce and one-gallon sizes, and provides technical resources including SDS documents: Oatey Clear Cleaner product information.
That product context is not an endorsement of the Make: recipe. Formulations can vary, and a product name such as “clear cleaner” does not establish ingredients or results. Check the label and SDS for the exact product, and do not infer that a cleaner is a stain base unless its manufacturer says so.
The Tool Desk
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- Size - Length of each: 17";The 2 inch Schedule 40 PVC pipe has an outer diameter of 2.375 inches and an inner diameter of 2.04 inches. This PVC pipe is suitable for various DIY projects.Please confirm before purchase.
- Indoor & Outdoor Material - Made of high-quality Sch40 PVC material, with high plasticity, low temperature resistance, ultraviolet resistance, impact resistance and corrosion resistance, long service life.
- Easy to Install & Efficient - Smooth surface ensures clean cuts, Installation requires only primer and solvent cement for a secure and long-lasting connection. Our SCH 40 PVC pipes ensure efficient fluid movement with a minimized risk of clogs or restrictions. Whether it's for DIY tasks or professional plumbing work, get the perfect length and reduce waste.
- Widely Used - Our white PVC pipe is suitable for various occasions, such as PVC sheds, PVC greenhouses, PVC tent connectors, PVC shelves, PVC garden support structures, water supply engineering, tent cat fences, shoe racks, PVC cages, shelf chairs, tables, shelves or garden supports, etc., bringing you a lot of convenience.
- Professional - Meets ASTM D2466 and D1784 standards, comply with NSF requirements.
When to consider another way to add color
The project’s appeal is avoiding a paint film on pipe and fittings, especially where a coating might affect fit. But the available sources do not establish a controlled comparison of staining, paint, primer, or colored pipe. Use the decision points below rather than treating the project’s permanence claim as guaranteed.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Bates ratchet-type pipe cutter is made of manganese steel with high hardness, good toughness, strength, and durability. It also features a ratchet mechanism that makes cutting through pipes quick and easy - perfect for anyone who wants to get the job done fast.
- The rubber-textured handle is comfortable to use, reliable to hold, and not easy to hurt. A stainless steel buckle is at the bottom of the tube cutter for easy storage. When you don't use it, you can shrink the handles on both sides and lock the security lock to save space and prevent accidental injury.
- Bates ratchet-type pipe cutter is perfect for easily cutting through pipes. The triangle design at the edge of the knife allows better access to the pipe, while the unique structure design makes it easy to cut pipes with a few presses.
- This tool is not only powerful but also easy to use, which makes it an ideal choice for people who are not familiar with such tools. The fish-shaped handle provides a comfortable grip that guarantees long-lasting working.
- Our tube Cutter is ideal for use on various plastic pipes and tubes. It is an essential cutting tool for handymen, plumbers, electricians, and vehicle mechanics. The cutter is commonly used for cutting most kinds of plastic (PVC, CPVC, PP, PEX, PE, rubber hose) and multilayer tubing.Not suitable for 2” PVC or metal pipes
Rank #4
- Size - Length of each: 17";The 1-1/2 inch Schedule 40 PVC pipe has an outer diameter of 1.90 inches and an inner diameter of 1.58 inches. This PVC pipe is suitable for various DIY projects.Please confirm before purchase.
- Indoor & Outdoor Material - Made of high-quality Sch40 PVC material, with high plasticity, low temperature resistance, ultraviolet resistance, impact resistance and corrosion resistance, long service life.
- Easy to Install & Efficient - Smooth surface ensures clean cuts, Installation requires only primer and solvent cement for a secure and long-lasting connection. Our SCH 40 PVC pipes ensure efficient fluid movement with a minimized risk of clogs or restrictions. Whether it's for DIY tasks or professional plumbing work, get the perfect length and reduce waste.
- Widely Used - Our white PVC pipe is suitable for various occasions, such as PVC sheds, PVC greenhouses, PVC tent connectors, PVC shelves, PVC garden support structures, water supply engineering, tent cat fences, shoe racks, PVC cages, shelf chairs, tables, shelves or garden supports, etc., bringing you a lot of convenience.
- Professional - Meets ASTM D2466 and D1784 standards, comply with NSF requirements.
- Fit matters: If a tight dimensional fit is important, avoid adding a coating unless you have confirmed it will not interfere.
- Specified use matters: Choose products documented for the intended substrate and application; a cleaner’s stated cleaning use is not the same as a staining recommendation.
- Handling matters: Follow the exact label and SDS precautions for any solvent or dye, including ventilation and protective equipment.
- Expected durability matters: Make: describes its result as permanent and non-flaking, but the cited material does not provide independent durability testing.
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