Leather Dye

[knibs7]

I wasn't exactly sure if this should be in General Gear or Gear Care & Distressing, so MODS please feel free to move it if need be. To all my friends out there who work with leather, what is the best kind of dye to use on bridle leather that won't "bleed" when wet?

Thanks for any info

Kyle

[Indiego Jones]

http://www.leathermagic.com/Pages/recolorkits.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

PS: did you get my e-mail about the jacket? Please, let me know because I had problems when replying.

[Mountaineer]

Bridle is quite different than carving/tooling leather. It's a finished product already, not like carving/tooling leather which is bare leather that's relatively easy to dye and finish. I'm imagining you'll need more than just a dye.

My understanding on bridle leather is you'll basically need to strip it of the original finish, let it dry, dye it (with probably an oil-based dye), let that dry, then apply a top coat.

Check out Leatherworker.net, it's a very good source for your needs.

Here's a sample regarding bridle and it's complications. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.ph ... opic=23309" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[backstagejack]

Just to tag into this (since it is titled leather dye) .

I have a veg tanned natural coloured belt that I was looking to dye. Hobby Lobby has some leather dye that I was looking into that says to "put on a soft cloth and rub in evenly"

but I read elsewhere on the forum about someone just submersing their entire product to get a more even coating.....

Suggestions?
Also, anyone dealt with the Hobby Lobby leather dye.... I'm thinking it's bottom of the line stuff that would tend to bleed with use.

[lantzn]

Just to tag into this (since it is titled leather dye) .

I have a veg tanned natural coloured belt that I was looking to dye. Hobby Lobby has some leather dye that I was looking into that says to "put on a soft cloth and rub in evenly"

but I read elsewhere on the forum about someone just submersing their entire product to get a more even coating.....

Suggestions?
Also, anyone dealt with the Hobby Lobby leather dye.... I'm thinking it's bottom of the line stuff that would tend to bleed with use.

The submerging the leather was probably my post. A few years back when I started getting into leather work, every professional I spoke with swore by the oil based dyes and said not to waste time on the less expensive water based. One big reason was consistent coverage. The only exception was if you wanted the "antique" look that is achieved with the antique gel type dye. If I don't submerge I like to use the wool dauber, it's a lot faster then a cloth. I only use a rag for the antique gel because you aren't using a lot, it's just enough to give an aged affect.
I bought some of the Eco friendly water based dye from a garage sale and tried them with a rag and it was very splotchy, heavier in areas where the dye was first applied and lighter at the outer edges. It took a LOT of work and coats to get it looking even. I chucked them after using them once.

[backstagejack]

Just to tag into this (since it is titled leather dye) .

I have a veg tanned natural coloured belt that I was looking to dye. Hobby Lobby has some leather dye that I was looking into that says to "put on a soft cloth and rub in evenly"

but I read elsewhere on the forum about someone just submersing their entire product to get a more even coating.....

Suggestions?
Also, anyone dealt with the Hobby Lobby leather dye.... I'm thinking it's bottom of the line stuff that would tend to bleed with use.

The submerging the leather was probably my post. A few years back when I started getting into leather work, every professional I spoke with swore by the oil based dyes and said not to waste time on the less expensive water based. One big reason was consistent coverage. The only exception was if you wanted the "antique" look that is achieved with the antique gel type dye. If I don't submerge I like to use the wool dauber, it's a lot faster then a cloth. I only use a rag for the antique gel because you aren't using a lot, it's just enough to give an aged affect.
I bought some of the Eco friendly water based dye from a garage sale and tried them with a rag and it was very splotchy, heavier in areas where the dye was first applied and lighter at the outer edges. It took a LOT of work and coats to get it looking even. I chucked them after using them once.

It was your post! But personally it just makes more sense that to submerge it would get a more even coating....the only reason I could see for the rubbing in would be for staying purposes.... I'm ridiculously new to leather dying (as in just thought of it the other day) so there it is.
It's not even for my Indy gear but for some of my Pirate gear.....