Hello there! I'm a bit of a lurker on this site, but this is my first post. I would call myself more of a "crafter" than a leatherworker of any sort. I have a bit of experience tooling and sewing leather, as well as dyeing raw leather, but I could use some help with a new project.
I realize there are a ton of variables here and am having a hard time deciding how to proceed, so I wanted to get opinions from those of you who care to share them =)
I purchased an expensive pair of knee-high riding boots for an inexpensive price. The color "natural" turned out to be a hideous light peachy color instead of the naturally tanned color I was expecting. The price was good enough for the quality of the boot that I'm willing to use them as an opportunity to experiment and hopefully end up with a unique pair of boots.
The color right now is very, very light in hue, but appears to have a pretty heavy coat of dye. I plan to strip this as much as possible with a deglazer/preparer. Then, coat with a light coat of oil (olive, most likely, since I have plenty on hand. Also have coconut and mink). This is where I start to have questions:
1. What is the feasibility of developing a natural sun tan at this point since the leather's been treated so much?
2. If natural tanning is not a possibility, what is the best way to achieve a similar color to a natural tan? I'm thinking of using a spirit dye in a light tan, with a high ratio of denatured alcohol to thin. Any suggestions on specific colors with specific brands? I have a Tandy near me.
3. How should I seal and finish these using options #1 or #2? I live in a damp climate and while I wouldn't be using them as rain boots, they would likely become at least a little damp/wet on a regular basis.
Again, I realize there are multitudes of variables in a project like this, and I'm willing to accept that risk. Just wanted some opinions on how you would personally attack this project.
Advice On Leather Boots
in Dyes, Antiques, Stains, Glues, Waxes, Finishes and Conditioners.
Posted · Report reply
Hello there! I'm a bit of a lurker on this site, but this is my first post. I would call myself more of a "crafter" than a leatherworker of any sort. I have a bit of experience tooling and sewing leather, as well as dyeing raw leather, but I could use some help with a new project.
I realize there are a ton of variables here and am having a hard time deciding how to proceed, so I wanted to get opinions from those of you who care to share them =)
I purchased an expensive pair of knee-high riding boots for an inexpensive price. The color "natural" turned out to be a hideous light peachy color instead of the naturally tanned color I was expecting. The price was good enough for the quality of the boot that I'm willing to use them as an opportunity to experiment and hopefully end up with a unique pair of boots.
The color right now is very, very light in hue, but appears to have a pretty heavy coat of dye. I plan to strip this as much as possible with a deglazer/preparer. Then, coat with a light coat of oil (olive, most likely, since I have plenty on hand. Also have coconut and mink). This is where I start to have questions:
1. What is the feasibility of developing a natural sun tan at this point since the leather's been treated so much?
2. If natural tanning is not a possibility, what is the best way to achieve a similar color to a natural tan? I'm thinking of using a spirit dye in a light tan, with a high ratio of denatured alcohol to thin. Any suggestions on specific colors with specific brands? I have a Tandy near me.
3. How should I seal and finish these using options #1 or #2? I live in a damp climate and while I wouldn't be using them as rain boots, they would likely become at least a little damp/wet on a regular basis.
Again, I realize there are multitudes of variables in a project like this, and I'm willing to accept that risk. Just wanted some opinions on how you would personally attack this project.
Thanks in advance!