Max McCool: STX Revolver dye job

Like what you see? Check back tomorrow to find out how you can win a brand new STX Revolver, dyed by Max McCool.

I did these two dye jobs on the brand new STX Revolver. They are similar, in that they both use the pre-cut revolver stickers, but I put a little extra work into the second one.


You’ll need Black and Pearl Grey RIT dye, RIT Color Remover, and your stickers. You might also want an Xacto knife to work with your stickers, a bucket to dye your heads in, and a hair dryer to seal your stickers.

You can do both heads at once in one bucket of grey. I did one darker than the other, but you’ll see why as we go along.

For the black head with silver stickers, it’s pretty straightforward. Dye your head the shade of silver that you want, dry it, and then carefully place your stickers on there.

Use the Xacto knife instead of your fingers to keep from weakening the adhesive, and place them however you want them. When they are placed, use a hair dryer to heat them up and mash them straight down with your thumb. Now, dip it in the black using the hottest water you can use. This will ensure that you get a true black and not a purple. Once this is done, let your stick dry and peel off the stickers. Dye job #1 = done.

For the second job I decided that I would spice things up a bit. I began the same way, except that I made the grey much darker on this head. When you’re doing this, be careful not to leave it in so long that it starts to get purple. Now, after you go grey, apply your stickers like I did on the first head. Next, we’re going to add a black fade to the bottom of the stick.

Again, keep the water as hot as possible. It really does help if you can keep it over heat so if you have an outdoor boiler (or really understanding parents) try and add the fade while the water is still boiling and over the fire. Keep bobbing the head up and down to get your fade. Don’t put it in too deep too many times. Watch the video and I’ll show you how I do my fades.


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When you have your fade done, boil another pot of water. To this water you’ll add your RIT color remover. Try to ventilate your area while doing this, because this stuff smells pretty strong and I’m not trying to put anyone in the ER.


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Basically what you want to do with the color remover is to do another fade that meets the black. You should have done your black fade about half of the way up, and now we’re going to do a color-remove fade 2/3 of the way down. This will result in a much lighter grey up top, and a still-black at the bottom.

When you have done this, (and make sure to remove as much of the grey as you can), take your stick out and rinse it. You’ll want to get all of that stuff off of your head, and then let it dry. When it is dry, began to carefully peel off your stickers. On my head, some of my stickers bled. I think it gives it a ghostly look to it, but that’s just me trying to explain away imperfection. Give your heads a nice rub down with some Goo Gone and a paper towel, and you’ll be ready to go.

Take some pictures and throw them up on here! I’d like to thank STX for the Revolvers, they’re awesome! Keep it tuned right here to the Playground for the string jobs that will follow.

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16 Comments

  1. […] work, with either your dye or your camera. Good luck!! Oh, and if you need any pointers view this Dyeing Tutorial. #dd_ajax_float{ background:none repeat scroll 0 0 #FFFFFF; border:1px solid #DDDDDD; float:left; […]

  2. Rob on March 19, 2011 at 4:23 am

    What kind of sticker material do you use?

    • Max McCool on August 30, 2011 at 6:14 pm

      It’s sheet vinyl, for car decals.  I don’t know the product specifics, though.  Test before you go all in on anything.

  3. harman30 on January 19, 2010 at 11:24 pm

    alright thanks if you could just let me know where you got them from that would help alot thanks man

  4. Max McCool on January 9, 2010 at 12:59 am

    harmon: honestly i had to try a few kinds myself to find the right kind, and i still don’t know the actual exact type of what i used. i just know the kid that i get it from. i’ll try to get you some more details.

    clarence: i do remember you bud, that summer league under the lights used to be the shizzle. thanks a lot man, hope you’re still laxin. i’m over in the mabll, get your crew to come join a team, or i’ll see you sometime this summer

    cam: since they are for a raffle, i honestly haven’t played with them yet cuz i want to keep them fresh and crisp for the winner. It looks like an easy head to string, and goes by the new guidelines without being rediculously wide, so i think i would get along with this head. If it were me, i’d check out the superpower first, but that’s just cuz i’m a PP fanatic.

  5. cam on January 3, 2010 at 12:42 am

    Better question, do you like the revolver? I need a new spoon and I can’t get to a lax store… The only one in LA county closed.

  6. matt on December 30, 2009 at 3:44 pm

    what kind of stickers are those- what store do you shop at or can we get them on line?

  7. clarence on December 29, 2009 at 8:30 pm

    yo Max loving the dye jobs…I don’t know if you remember me (Clarence) I played lax with Alex Curley and you showed the cotton candy and the sunrise two summers ago…anyways again sick dye jobs be easy

  8. harman30 on December 29, 2009 at 11:09 am

    what material were those stickers because ive tried with some other kinds of stickes and they just peel off in the water

  9. The capital of Djibouti is Djibouti - 412 Lax on December 29, 2009 at 10:27 am

    […] Max McCool’s revolvers on Revolvers (Lacrosse Playground) […]

  10. Max McCool on December 28, 2009 at 3:43 pm

    The stickers were gut out at a graphics shop around me, they were pretty expensive though. $35 bucks got me a 24″x36″ sheet of them, and I have leftovers if anyone would like to buy them for a dye job.

    The dye remover can be bought in most places that sell the dye itself. I get mine at craft stores, it just says RIT Color remover.

    Thanks balaba!

  11. balaba on December 28, 2009 at 11:23 am

    Max McCool is a Golden God!!!

  12. Sean on December 28, 2009 at 10:50 am

    Another method that I use to get BLACK black on a dye is to do a “primer” coat in a dark color, like blue or green. It’s that base white that keeps the black from really shining.

  13. andrew on December 28, 2009 at 10:28 am

    i have never heard of a dye remover before what is it and where can i get it?

  14. Vagabond Lacrosse on December 28, 2009 at 10:09 am

    Killer dye job and concept! I think I have been inspired… it has been a while!

  15. Ed on December 28, 2009 at 9:36 am

    Did you cut those stickers out yourself or have them done on a vinyl cutter?

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