I have been covering motorcycle seats in leather for about a year now and have run into a problem with one skin (at least I hope it is just one skin)! After 3 or 4 weeks the black color disappeared. A seat I did just began turning brown until it looked quite "distressed" and would have made an excellent example had the customer wanted distressed leather. I had been buying my leather through Tandy's, both deer tanned and chrome tanned. This happened on some deer tanned.
Anyway...
Fiebings water based dye didn't last, the vinegaroon solution lasted only another 4 weeks, and I am trying Fiebings "oil" based dye presently. Are there any "permanent" black dyes out there or any chemical that could be used as a catalyst to help the dye set more or less permanently? I want to try this before admitting defeat and totally redoing at least one seat that I know of.
Needless to say I now buy my leather from reputable automotive trim supply outfits (and at comparable prices).
Thanks to all for any help!
Socks
