Leather Dye

[Jome]

Hey all,

I am trying to find a dye that won't bleed out of the edges of leather when I get the leather wet.

I put dye on the edge of some skirting leather and then burnish the edge with gum tragacanth and beeswax. When I put the leather into some water to soften it up after it is done, some dye comes off.

Is there a dye that will soak into the leather and not bleed out when it gets wet?

Thanks in advance!

[Hi Im Joe]

It is my understanding (maybe incorrectly) that you wet form stuff first then dye it. Maybe for this exact reason? I'm not sure.

[Chief31794]

I don't dye until after I wet form mostly, then I dip dye. If you are using water based dyes that maybe the problem. If I wanted to go the other way (dye first) then I would dip dye the pieces with alcohol based dyes then let them dry for at least 24 hours befor wetting for wet forming. I do use drum dyed backs and with them there is never a problem with discoloration from forming.

Chief

Edited May 8, 2014 by Chief31794

[Jome]

I do form my leather before I dye it, the dye and burnishing are done last. It's sandals that I put in the water so they are soft and adjustable before they go on my feet. When the sandals are put into the water, some dye bleeds out.

I use alcohol based Fiebing's dye, could this be why?

[JoeSnuffie]

Dye also comes out of my boots and expensive comfy shoes when they get wet. Not a lot but if I rub a cloth over them while wet, you can see the color bleeding off.