So I’ve seen this question asked a few times but not with the specifics I’m looking for. Maybe someone who does fire shields/motorcycle seats ?
I’ve been working on projects that are black background with white or colored images painted on. Some are decorative just meant to be art and some need a bit durability for use (like coasters or a belt). I am using veg tanned leather that I tool or stamp with my design first and then am dying the whole thing black with Angelus leather dye.
I buff once the dye is dry and then am painting the tooled image with Angelus acrylics and airbrushing resolene once finished. The problem I’m running into is all color paints are drying streaky, and white (which is the color I’m using in the largest spaces of course) especially is a pain because its coming out a bit yellow from the black being underneath. I’m also afraid the paints going to flake off with use regardless of color.
1. Should I NOT be dying the whole thing black first and instead dying around the image so that I’m painting on the raw leather ? Or am I okay to keep dying everything black first, but should be coating with a layer of something after dye, before I start painting ? Example dye, resolene, paint, resolene again ?
2. And lastly, when I’m all done paint how should I seal for durability before I accidentally make something for someone where the paint just flakes off a few months down the road ?
Sorry for the length, I just really wanted to be thorough to get answers since I cannot find what I’m looking for and I’m at a bit of a confidence standstill as I do not want to make someone an unattractive or faulty project.
Please lay out the steps for me if I’m missing something !
