A dye additive suitable for use in improving the dyeing of aramid fibers includes non-water components dissolved in water. The non-water components include about 20-25% (w/w) sodium or potassium nitrate; about 20-25% (w/w) ketone solvent; about 30-40% (w/w) aromatic solvent; about 1-5% (w/w) of each of glycol ether, biodegradable solvent, acetic acid 56% strength or equivalent or equivalent amount of formic acid, brine salt, sodium or potassium hydroxide, and phenylenediamine, about 1-10% (w/w) of each of a strong acid, hydroxycarboxylic acid, and lanolin; wherein the water makes up about 50-70% of the weight of the dye additive and the non-water components make up about 30-50% of the dye additive. The dye additive may be added to a dye bath at a w/w percentage of about 0.25% to about 6%.