Making The Best Out Of A Stupid Error - Finishing Question

[jpaltan]

Long-time lurker, 1st time leather worker... I cut out my leather the incorrect way and have ended up with a left hand holster. I used Herman Oak leather and the flesh side is actually nice looking so, will just use it that way. I stained it using tandy's eco flow stain and it was very uneven, so I hit it with gum tragacanth, then stained it and it looked much better. Is it ok over the long term to hit it with gum tragacanth, then stain it, then go back and tidy it with the gum again? Should I worry about the finish wearing off doing it this way? Do I need another finish on top to seal it in? Additionally, the edges seem to be a bit darker than the body of leather, should I thin the stain before application? Sorry for the compressed posting, but can't seem to separate my paragraph for easy reading (aka the enter button ain't workin). Thanks!

Edited December 6, 2012 by jpaltan

[IngleGunLeather]

I use the Tandy pro water stain myself and it is a little tricky applying. What color did you use? I usually spray a couple base coats before applying with their orange sponge. This helps me keep a consistent color. Also, don't over dye it either. If you are able to dye after you've applied gum trag, I'm very surprised the dye is penetrating. Typically gum should be applied after you've finished dyeing. The edges will be darker, I'm now assuming that you used some other color besides black to be able to see this. Not a big deal and I wouldn't try thinning to try to match.

Edited December 6, 2012 by CountryTrash

[Shooter McGavin]

The OP used Eco-Flow, which is some of the worst garbage ever created IMO... especially for items like holster that will see wear and tear. The Pro Waterstain is another creature altogether and is much better in my experience.

jpaltan, what color Eco-Flow did you use? Personally I like when the browns are uneven and marbled looking, adds character. At any rate, you can always go black. After everything is dried and buffed you can seal it up with some resolene, or satin sheen, or super sheen.

Welcome to LW.net!

[jpaltan]

The two colors that I tried were briar brown and dark cocoa. I was a bit surprised that they worked better over the gum trag than on the leather itself. Maybe the gum trag acted as a resist and evened out the finish? The finish looks much better applied on top of the gum trag which will inevitably send it to the trash bucket. Was hoping to find a stain or dye that can use indoors, well that was until I dropped a recent stained piece on the carpet and realized finishing might be meant for the garage afterall. On to better dyes and huffing fumes in the garage!

Thanks for the assistance.

[IngleGunLeather]

Try the pro waterstains. Doesn't give me headaches like some of the other dyes do.