Dyeing Problems

[Old Ben]

I posted this in a different section of the forum before I realized that this is where I might get the answers I'm looking for, so here goes...

I'm just getting started with dyeing and staining leather and I've noticed a significant stiffening of the leather after applying color. I've used both Fiebing's Oil Dye and Eco-Flo Waterstain and followed the directions for application with each product, using a slightly damp sponge with the Waterstain and a dauber with the dye. After the coloring I applied Fiebing's 4 Way leather conditioner (per the directions on the label), since the guys at my local Tandy store said that neatsfoot oil will darken the leather. It doesn't seem to do much in the way softening. I made a few key fobs that I've stained and they have softened up with use, but they have a weird, almost rubbery feel to them. To finish the pieces I rubbed on Carnauba Creme on the waterstained project and resolene on the dyed stuff.

Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong? Also, I'm assuming that oiling or conditioning should come before a finish of resolene or other sealer, but I'm not positive on that either. Any help is appreciated.

[King's X]

What leather are you using? I oil my leather after dyeing the project and it gets most of supple back. I am using Wickett & Craig and Hermann Oak leather. Now, if I need to oil and do not want to darken it, I have found Extra Virgin Olive Oil to work very well. I primarily use Neatsfoot oil for my remnants of Tandy leather because of the blonde color. I will also put it in the sun for about an hour or two.

I also use Fiebing's oil and spirit dyes for all of my projects. I no longer use eco flo or water stains so I am not much help there.

Good luck

[Old Ben]

King's X,

I've only used veg tan from Tandy so far, just their inexpensive single shoulders. I wanted to get some practice stitching and dyeing on that before moving on to more expensive leather. Thanks for the tip on using EVOO, I'll give that a try.

[thekid77]

I posted this in a different section of the forum before I realized that this is where I might get the answers I'm looking for, so here goes...

I'm just getting started with dyeing and staining leather and I've noticed a significant stiffening of the leather after applying color. I've used both Fiebing's Oil Dye and Eco-Flo Waterstain and followed the directions for application with each product, using a slightly damp sponge with the Waterstain and a dauber with the dye. After the coloring I applied Fiebing's 4 Way leather conditioner (per the directions on the label), since the guys at my local Tandy store said that neatsfoot oil will darken the leather. It doesn't seem to do much in the way softening. I made a few key fobs that I've stained and they have softened up with use, but they have a weird, almost rubbery feel to them. To finish the pieces I rubbed on Carnauba Creme on the waterstained project and resolene on the dyed stuff.

Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong? Also, I'm assuming that oiling or conditioning should come before a finish of resolene or other sealer, but I'm not positive on that either. Any help is appreciated

If you aren't already, you may try applying the neatsfoot oil immediately after dying the leather....the pores are open and it will absorb the oil more readily....this is what I always do...i use ecoflo and the waterstain from tandy and this works for me....hope it works for you!!!

credit to Chuck Burrows for recommending the application of the oil when the leather is still damp from the dye

Edited March 24, 2015 by thekid77

[Old Ben]

If you aren't already, you may try applying the neatsfoot oil immediately after dying the leather....the pores are open and it will absorb the oil more readily....this is what I always do...i use ecoflo and the waterstain from tandy and this works for me....hope it works for you!!!

credit to Chuck Burrows for recommending the application of the oil when the leather is still damp from the dye

Thanks for the tip. I've not tried that yet, but I will now.