I used fiebings saddle tan cut down with denatured alcohol, took a small jar, put a couple inches of the alcohol in it and then added the dye, just a few drops at a time of until the desired color was achieved, then finished it off with a light coat of wax , I learned on this website when I was having the same problem, easier to control the depth of color you want to achieve when you start out light, each coat will slightly darken.