TT,
No, you are not worryink about nohtink and Timing, as ever is crucial
Dyes and stains generally are absorbed into (sometimes onto) a material and then behave as part of the material - ie when it is dry you can do anything to it that you could before it was dyed/stained
Glues, including PVA and cyano will seal the surface of the base material, and prevent any dye or stain later applied from "taking" to the base material - if you have ever planked a hull then stained it you will have seen the effect
So always dye before gluing
Glen
Hat elastic for shrouds and stays? Are they non-functional - ie not holding up the mast?
Basic answer on life is that it depends on the specific rubber they are made with - if it is natural rubber (normal and best) then probably two summers.
Natural can't stand light, ozone or temperature and will crack then "revert" when it has had enough.
To find out remove some of the covering - you will prolly find several strands of round white elastic (rubber).
Hold one in a flame briefly - does it smell like burning rubber?
Try stretching one - natural CAN reach 7 or 800% stretch and will go "solid" as it reaches the end (this is "crystallisation")
Dunno if this helps you, but you will get some funny looks, especially if your lady wife is wearing the hat at the time
andrew
Don't evan ask about any other clothing elastic