Home Made Dyes And Antiques.

[desib]

Folks I am wondering if anyone has successful recipies on Antiques and Dyes. I recently had a go by blending a little raven oil with Dubbin to produce a very average antique but wonder if there is a simple solution without the expense. Where I live there is no access to any leather shops and everything has to be freighted. I have access to Raven oil and that's about all. Any help appreciated. Attached is the raven oil/dubbin mixture effort. But I have concerns that it will all leach to a wierd colour in a few weeks.

Edited June 20, 2010 by desib

[TwinOaks]

Hi and Welcome to Leatherworker.net! Restrooms are down the hall, fresh coffee as soon as Johanna gets here, and don't eat the donuts.

There's a plethora of things that can be used for home made dyes, etc. One of my favorites is vinegaroon/vinegar black. It's a compound of rustable metal and vinegar. Chemically, it's ferric acetate and it reacts to the tannins in the leather, turning the leather black- and it won't rub off. There's also been some experimentation using walnuts to make a brown. I should also note that depending on the tannage of the leather, it can also get a bit 'blue'. For common items, you can use tea and coffee to make a wash for the leather. For a finish, olive oil can be used in place of neatsfoot, oil and paraffin wax can be melted together then brushed on (or dipped) for a hard water repellant finish, natural beeswax is good, and if you like acrylic finishes, you can use acrylic floor polish (U.S. brand "Mop & Glo"). Really there's more than I can remember at the moment, so keep checking this thread as other members chime in with other suggestions. Leatheroo is one of our Aussie members and may be able to suggest some items, by name, that are available locally for you.

We're glad you found us, pull up a stool and stay a while.

[desib]

Hi and Welcome to Leatherworker.net! Restrooms are down the hall, fresh coffee as soon as Johanna gets here, and don't eat the donuts.

There's a plethora of things that can be used for home made dyes, etc. One of my favorites is vinegaroon/vinegar black. It's a compound of rustable metal and vinegar. Chemically, it's ferric acetate and it reacts to the tannins in the leather, turning the leather black- and it won't rub off. There's also been some experimentation using walnuts to make a brown. I should also note that depending on the tannage of the leather, it can also get a bit 'blue'. For common items, you can use tea and coffee to make a wash for the leather. For a finish, olive oil can be used in place of neatsfoot, oil and paraffin wax can be melted together then brushed on (or dipped) for a hard water repellant finish, natural beeswax is good, and if you like acrylic finishes, you can use acrylic floor polish (U.S. brand "Mop & Glo"). Really there's more than I can remember at the moment, so keep checking this thread as other members chime in with other suggestions. Leatheroo is one of our Aussie members and may be able to suggest some items, by name, that are available locally for you.

We're glad you found us, pull up a stool and stay a while.

Thanks for the help Twin oaks. I have now realised just how much info is on this site and I guess my question could have been better placed.

I recently had a rifle sling I made go a wierd stained colour whilst out bush. I believe it was the acid either from the plants and grass in the area or the mandarins I was eating 9something to investigate). I will give the vinegaroon a go too. I'm paying $27Aussie for 250 mls of black dye so that's money I could be spending on leather instead.

[BearMan]

Hi,

You may have already heard about this, but there are several woodworking Gel Stains, that work well as Antique. Min Wax Aged Oak, has been used by lots of people with very good results.

[DaltonMasterson]

Howdy!

I have used walnut dye with some success, and also use a coffee dye.

For the coffee dye, I bring to a boil then simmer a whole can of dark roast coffee for a few hours, and reduce it. I get a nice mellow brown color after using a little bit of olive oil over the top.

Here is a pic of a coffee dyed piece. It was submerged overnight in the dye, then oiled after drying. Then a little bit of sun, more oil, then back into the dye for about 20 minutes.

The walnut dye is basically done the same way. Boil and reduce green walnuts for the best color. When I did it, it made a slightly more pale brown than the coffee, which is not so evident in the photos. The real difference in color is probably due to the sun and the oil more than the dye.

DM

Edited June 24, 2010 by DaltonMasterson