Thread: Leather Dye - what type ?

Question for the leather gurus.

What dye do I get ? And what's the pros/cons of alcohol based vs water based ?

Looking at the Fiebings dyes at either Lapco or Mollies

I used water based fiebings stuff...I used to dip dye....painting on didn't get deep enough.

Also with the alcohol may require DG to get delivered

H

Sent from my SM-G996B using Tapatalk

I did my first few with water based and they came out real good .
The latest lot I have been using oil based black dye (ran out of water based brown) and have been experimenting with finishes .
Have a look at the double sheath in the playing with leather thread , (the broken apart pic best). Every piece of leather , all from the same sheet, I dyed with exactly the same black oil based dye .
But I discovered depending on how I applied the dye and how long I left it on before hitting it with some beeswax I could get a completely different finish .
Dab on with a rag 2 or 3 patchy coats , leave for 10 mins then hit with wax for the sheaths themselves .
A paintbrush with plenty of dye and wax after an hour or more for patchy brownish used look on the sleeve .

And of course if you leave overnight with plenty of dye on board it should be straight black , but I prefer the weathered look rather than even colour myself .

Just checked the bottle @ebf and it's the fiebings brand from lapco I am using . Doesn't say the base but must is the alcohol or oil based .

Originally Posted by Ftx325

Just checked the bottle @ebf and it's the fiebings brand from lapco I am using . Doesn't say the base but must is the alcohol or oil based .

Cheers man, watched a YT vid this afternoon, and looks like with Fiebings if it says "Pro" on the bottle it is oil (and alcohol) based, the normal stuff is alcohol based. Have not come across the Pro stuff in any of the NZ shops.

I am using vinegaroon for black coloring, easy to make and doesn't cost the world, see below for simple instructions.

https://www.instructables.com/Vinega...k-Leather-Dye/

I just use the Fiebings medium brown dye from Lapco. Best thing I did was buy a cheap airbrush,much easier to get an even color. If you want a light shade water it down, The more coats you do the darker it gets.

Sent from my SM-G525F using Tapatalk

I've watched a few ytube vids with guys using airbrush .
Great idea and can get some really awesome finishes with different colours etc on the one item . Or a light colour in the middle but dark around edges .
Love to give one of those a try .

I picked mine up from Mitre 10 for about $30. You need to wear gloves though as it leaks a bit. Haven't tried shading the outside yet but am hoping to soon,as I like the look of it as well.

Sent from my SM-G525F using Tapatalk

Air brushing won't get the dye in deep, sheath will look good at the beginning but will loose colour the first scrub bush you go through....I had a dish and dipped them in there and then brushed the excess off..

Each to their own

H

Sent from my SM-G996B using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by HNTMAD

Air brushing won't get the dye in deep, sheath will look good at the beginning but will loose colour the first scrub bush you go through....I had a dish and dipped them in there and then brushed the excess off..

Each to their own

H

Sent from my SM-G996B using Tapatalk

Hmmmm. Hadn't thought of that. Have only used it on a couple projects so will have see how they last.

Sent from my SM-G525F using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by hunter Al.7mm08

Hmmmm. Hadn't thought of that. Have only used it on a couple projects so will have see how they last.

Sent from my SM-G525F using Tapatalk

The longer you dip the deeper the dye goes....I used to colour mine before stitching up...alternative is to buy it pre coloured

Sent from my SM-G996B using Tapatalk