OdinUK

I'll be using rubber gloves next time I use dye Thanks Rawhide...

Hi Ray, I recently got one of these from RDG tools, its about £74!!!: http://www.rdgtools.co.uk/acatalog/info%5f1622%2ehtml The compressor is great for the price and I was suprised to get 2 air brushes for the price, I assumed they would be so cheap they would be useless but they are ok to get started with. When Ive learnt how to use them I'll get an Iwata.

Does anyone know what to add to Fiebings dyes to make them lighter? In particular Id like to the make the Mahogony dye lighter. I thought about adding isopropyl alcohol but im not sure if this would work. Does anyone have any ideas?

Acording to the Leatherwork Manual, it states "...mix your own by dissolving about 1 teaspoon of oxalic acid crystals in a pint of warm water and shake well" Hope that helps.

I intend to get this book. The author holds leatherwork classes not too far from where I live. I hope to go on a course later in the year if I can afford it.

Welcome Andy! I'm living in Herefordshire, but originally from Manchester.

Ah, Thanks! This thread has been very informative, thanks all.

Thanks for that, I will try to get the brighter red by doing the same as you, I have a bottle of red and yellow but have not tried mixing yet. Pardon my ignorance but what is a sharpie? Is it some sort of paint marker? Thanks.

That's really nice. Can you describe (briefly) how you did the dying/colouring and what dyes and/or paint you used? Thanks.

I noticed the same. I also have yellow but Ive not tried to mix them yet. To mix, do I apply the red first, wait for it to dry and then apply the yellow dye?

Great seat! What sort of background tool did you use for that effect?

Are you sure its min not seconds? Im planning on doing some drawing/art classes as I would like to start painting with an airbrush. Ive had a leather jacket and waistcoat painted and even though Ive not tried painting since I was at school, I'd like to give it a try. Id like to be able to paint on leather (or anything else for that matter). I'll try the iron method as soon as I buy one:) Thanks.

Thanks, I will porbably get the medium brown as a starting point. I'll look out for the paste but I havent noticed it when looking at the Antiques.

I'm slowly building up my supplies and would like to try applying Antique. There are several colours, Black, dark brown, mid brown, light brown, tan, mahogany, chocolate etc. Which one would you recommend for general, non specific use? I would assume one of the browns. Thank you.

For belts, theres Al Stohlman'sBelts Galore.

Amazing work Tom! Do you teach courses on your style of leather work? hint hint

I got my technical grade Oxalic acid in the UK from ebay.

Hi Dave, can you tell us how you keep the punched holes in a straight line as I cant see any reference line around the edge! Is it underneath? V ery inspiring work! Thanks.

Great work! What thickness leather are you using?

Thanks for that, I will see what I can find in the UK. I'll search for the tutorial. Theres so much to learn!

@whinewine, Is it some sort of latex paint that you use, please can you advise on a brand or source? Is it easy to remove once its been used as a mask? Thanks.

Hi Tom, Thanks for the advice. It should be ok as I have already used it based on a recommendation from an artist who has painted a couple of my jackets. I used it to seal in some autographs on my jacket and so far it hasnt cracked. I made sure to use 2 or 3 light coats. On the sample I sprayed, I shall keep flexing it just so I can see if it does crack. For those in the UK, Im try the Halfords Clear Laquer. I'll try other recomended products too.

I found Krylon on ebay, and there is a supplier that I know of. I should be able to order the other ones that you mentioned. Im just starting leatherwork, and besides the exercises in the books I have Im making leather patches, of various bands that I will eventualy sow or attach on to my bike jacket and that will be exposed to the elements. So, Im looking into ways to make dyed and/or painted leather durable. Last night I tried using regular laquer spray, the kind used for car bodywork. A couple of light coats of that seems to work fine. I think it contains acrylic and it gives a nice sheen. I will try whatever is available. Thanks again for the advice!

Thanks for the advice. Are the Neatlac and Saddlelac water resistant and would they offer some protection from rubbing? It doesnt have to be waterbased, as long as it 'seals' the paint from the elements. Can ordinary laquer spray paint be used on leather? I'll look into these products over the weekend.

I tried my first painting and dying exercise. I first cut and bevelled a shape, I painted the raised part in 3 applications of red acrylic that was thinned with a little water, then I dyed the surrounding area twice before buffing the dyed area to remove the excess black. I did this as two samples. Then I used the Baslm and Atom wax on one sample, left it to dry and then buffed it, but a lot of the red paint just came off with the buffing. I have attached a picture of this and a picture of how the other sample looked without the Baslm and Atom Wax. Please can anyone advise how to stop this happening? Ideally Id like a water resistant sheen to the painted and dyed item. If possible I would like a good red (bright if thats the right word to describe it) colour on the raised area with the rest dyed black. Thank you.