Jump to content
vieshling

Steps To Dying/antiquing Leather?

Recommended Posts

Hello!

First of all, I'm VERY new to leatherwork and the basics. I've purchased some books, but nothing seem to explain the best process for dying and/or antiquing the leather. I believe they're different? I'm basically wondering what are the steps that I need to take from start to finish to ensure a nice finish that won't change color or rub off later. Anyways, I've been experimenting and I've got Fiebings Antique, not the gel, in saddle tan and mahogany. Problem is I've put it on two different pieces of leather. The first was on some rounders that I purchased that seemed to give a great color. The second was a 4-6 oz veg tan leather that I tooled. Problem is the mahogany turned to a purple and the saddle tan looks orange and both seemed to dry out this leather. What am I doing wrong? I read that I should oil with Pure Neatsfoot Oil before antiquing, but isn't Neatsfoot Oil known to darken leather? Additionally if I seal it will that soften the leather back up or do I need to condition the leather AFTER dying and then put on the gloss seal? I also have some items that I've practiced painting with Fiebings Acrylic Leather Paint and I'm wondering what specifically to do so that I can dye the leather without dying/coloring the paint or should I have dyed/antiqued the leather prior to painting it? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just at a loss of what to use as I don't have a lot of money to purchase multiple products that won't work. What should I purchase? Thank-you in advance for anyone's time in answering this!

What I DO have:

Fiebings Antique Mahogany

Fiebings Antique Saddle Tan

Fiebings Dye Black

Bickmore 4 Conditioner

Pure Neatsfoot Oil

Angelus High Gloss Finish

RTC Sheridan Resist and Finish

Fiebings Acrylic Resolene

Variety of Fiebings Acrylic Paint Colors (12 pk)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It would be great to have the steps.

I have already dyed a holster. Getting near my bench is a sure way to forget what I read here. Printing is a priority this time.

My first coat of dye had some light patches so I rubbed the whole thing with alcohol before the second coat. The alcohol in the dye (fiebing's) plus the rubbing alcohol dried it up.

Some people say not to use neatsfoot, to use Lexol instead.

Thanks in advance

Gene

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...