Making a homemade hide darker

I bought two nice plastic buckets and melted them in half to make two 3.5" high 6" wide hides. The problem is, the buckets are white and rather thin, so they don't block out the light. Obviously I want hides that will be nice and dark for her, since she really loves her totally dark ceramic caves.

I've done some searching on the subject of paint for reptiles, but found nothing conclusive. I will NOT use tape for any reason, and I can't use permanent marker because they're toxic. What can I use to make those white plastic hides nice and dark?

maybe nail polish, becuase it drys harder than paint, and thicker

For all the work and hassle and expense of paint or whatever, I think it's likely not worth it. A quick trip to the dollar store and likely for $2.00 you can find dark plastic bowls that would work once you put an entrance into them.

I agree with Joanna - Dollar Tree cereal bowls are awesome hides - once you solder out an entrance!

Hmm, I guess you're right. Those buckets were just the right size...oh well, I suppose I'll give them to the cornsnake and pick up some darker bowls for Nagini.

BTW, is 3.5" high by 6" diameter a good hide size for a 8 mth old nearly 280g BP? She has some really nice ceramic cave hides that she loves right now that are still big enough for her, but they have a lip around the bottom that allows her to wedge herself in. So when I lift the hide, the snake comes with it and doesn't budge. I just wanted to get her some nice, snug hides that could be lifted off of her... :)