There are as many ways to customize a Hot Wheels' car, as there are Hot Wheels' cars. Each person seems to have their own technique for each of the steps used to customize these cool little cars.

Just remember that there are no wrong, or right ways. It is really up to you how a car is customized. What works for you is what's best. Just have fun, and enjoy yourself doing it.

I would first like to talk about Dying Cars. This is really easy, and fast. You can really be creative with dying cars as well. Not to mention the fact that it is fun too.

The first step of course, is to pick out a car to customize. It is your Custom, so pick the car you want. If you plan to just Dye the car, then pick out a car with a light color. I usually use a White car for Dying. But, you can use any light colored car.

Next, you want to pick out the dye color/s you want to dye your car with. I have been using Ritt Dye. It comes in liquid, or powder form. They both are concentrated, so a little goes a long ways.

After you choose the Dye color/s you want, you need to boil 1 1/2 cups of water per color you plan to use. I know this is a bit more than the directions, but you may want to use the dye at a more reduced mix for a lighter affect.

While your waiting for the water to boil, get your bowl/s ready, and open the car you plan to dye. I use Cigarette Lighter Fluid to open my blister packs. BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO DO THIS NEAR ANY OPEN FLAMES!!! Flip the Blister Pack front side down, and squirt the lighter fluid around the three outside edges of the card so that you soak it well. About a 1/2" around the edge of the three sides. Let it set, while the water comes to a boil.

After you get the water to boil, just add a teaspoon of dye per cup of water for your mix. Add more or less water depending on how dark you want your color. Make sure to mix this in an old bowl, because it can stain the bowl.

Stir the dye to mix it, and let it sit for about 2-3 minutes. While your letting the dye sit a few minutes, start pulling the Blister Pack away from the card. I use my exacto knife to lift up one of the corners of the blister, and then I work it along the edge as I get it pulled away from the card.

Leaving the top side of the blister pack attached, makes it easier to reglue the blister down in its' original place when your finished. There is really no alignment needed. Don't worry, the car will come out. Just bend the blister up a little to make the room for the car to slip out.

Now your ready to dip your car into the bowl of dye. Be creative. If you start with the darker colors first, you can dye a car in several different colors. Look at some pictures of the cars that I have dyed by selecting a page from the drop down menu below.


CUSTOM SHOP PHOTOS: