A big thank you to everyone that answered my question! The responses are below…you guys are pretty darn funny…
-Black transfer paper.
-You might
try submersing it in Rit dye, or use a plastic bonding spray paint.
-You could just call it
black. That seemed to work for Rachel Dolezal. 🙂
Seriously though, in my experience there is no way to do it that looks good.
Paint won’t stay. Dye won’t take on plastic. Transfers only work on very hot
plastic. I would pour the old AFO and re-pull it with black plastic. It’s a
pain but it’s the only way to do it correctly.
Good luck!
-Pull a dark large
cotton sock over it.
How much needs to be covered ?
-I have had a patient
ask that a white poly pro AFO be transformed to
Caucasian flesh tone and “Goth” lady wanted the same for her natural
poly
pro AFO except in black. I had asked for color requests at the time of
casting but my words fell on deaf ears.
Anyway I removed the calf strap and used masking tape to tape off the
interior and used spray paint in several light applications to meet their
requests. Yes it will scuff and wear off but it made both patients happy at
the time. It was pretty durable. They now have “plastic” spray paints
for
just such tasks.
Or you can cover the exterior of the AFO in faun leather. ( I have done this
over stiff endo foam covers and it looks very natural) It is very tough and
has wonderful stretchy qualities. Just cover to the shoe line. Kind of pricy
for a half hide of faun though.
Good luck.
-Find someone in your
area who does shrink wrap on cars. They have several different blacks including
a carbon fiber look.
-Pour it up after sealing
it, pop off that white one and pull with black plastic. Use same
hardware and strap(s) and your back in the game with not too much effort. Obviously you didn’t give
us much back story so no need to reply to this but that would give the patient
the proper orthosis and your company name remains intact for doing things
“right”
-Sharpie?
😉
-Try black
vinyl graphics from a local company. They might just have a sheet of it on hand
and pull it over for you.
-We have an afo liner
sock that will go over the outside of the afo to change the color. It comes in
black, tan and white. (knit-rite)
-You
can hydro-dip the AFO. There are multiple central fabrication facilities
who can do this for you. The AFO would have to be completely stripped and
smooth. It would be hydro dipped then a clear coat hardener applied after
dipping.
-Black sharpie
Kim McQueen, LCPO
