randypants

i heard a rumor(maybe just someone trying to push their water based stains and dyes on me) that the EPA is working on banning spirit based dyes. anyone heard any truth to this?

your vacuum bags work better than mine. looks like you didn't leave enough room in front of the trigger guard for an effective grip.

thanks

i saw someone on here list a place where you can buy Angelus dyes in larger than 3oz bottles, but i forgot where. anyone know?

antiquing is SUPPOSED to go over your finish, so as not to bleed into or make the leather you've already dyed muddy. after applying your finish and it dries, you apply your antique. after that dries, apply another finish coat, or two.

i've had it take up to a week for the smell to go away, but it's always gone away. letting the 'groon age properly, using the right amount of steel, and following the step-by-step procedures on this forum will get you a long way.

only thing i can think of(and i could be wrong) is that either; A ) the quality of the leather is poor or B ) you're soaking the leather too long. if i'm submerging the leather, i don't hold the leather in the water for more than 5 to 8 seconds. i also dry it in the oven. i've never had that problem.

i do all my work, if i have to lay the leather grain side down, on carpet. do my cutting on it as well. just need to make sure it's vacuumed real well. if i'm sewing or lacing something, i do it in my lap. it helps to keep unwanted marks from happening, which i've had happen a lot. randy

it's not the finish, it's the leather. some of them look like fine scratches, which to me, just adds to the look, doesn't detract. some of them look like marks made by a stylus, or some other marking tool. did you case or wet the leather at all? if you did, then anything it touches leaves a mark. next time, before dying and finishing, take the leather and hold it under a bright light and move it at different angles, looking closely, to see if you can see marks that can be covered up with a modeling spoon or some similar tool. Randy

i could be wrong, but it looks like a natural finish, then antiqued, do your carving, oil, no dye or stain, finish(resolene, or whatever you prefer), antique, finish again.

he did. thanks for the offer though.

you could also try Fiebings Chocolate. it's a dark chocolate, but diluting with denatured alcohol helps with that.

i was thinking about trying this. did you spray it over the entire piece, or just in some spots? i like the look you got from it.

i like that. definitely gonna use it

i do what i can.