Search the Community

I have read that people will wait anywhere from 20 minutes to 36 hours for their pro dye to dry before applying finish. I know a lot can depend on your environment and application method, but I can't imagine that environment and application method will make the drying time go from minutes to several hours. I cut my oil dye 50/50 with denatured alcohol and I apply it with a wool dauber. I usually do 2 coats, but sometimes I do 3. How long more or less should I be letting the dye dry before applying finish?

Hello everyone! I am fairly new at leather craft. To this point I have made a few pouches, belts, journals and delved into leather carving - but I've always used veg-tan fresh leather. I found a brief case at a thrift store yesterday (covered in dust and quite lonely). I really liked the style of it, and would like to modify it (smaller mainly) into a handbag. So in taking on this challenge, I've run into some conundrums as aspected haha. As I mentioned I've never worked on old leather, and this leather does appear quite thirsty. But also appeared to be a moderate quality bag as far as machine made goes. It doesn't appear to have a thick finishing layer, the moment I spritzed some water on the bag the leather soaked it up. Photos below (first 3 original bag, last 2 since desconstruction). My main two questions (at this point) are: 1) glue...ideas on removal? The bag was originally partitioned into 2 compartments, I'd like 1 larger compartment for the handbag. So I basically just need to get rid of 1 strip of old glue down the middle. 2) cracking... I'd like to bend the leather in 1/2 where the "<=>" shaped leather pieces are positioned. On first inspection of the leather in the area I plan to bend, I noticed some cracking :/ (prior to me attempting to bend). Any thoughts on how I can prep this leather to accommodate bending/minimize further cracking? Thank you so much for any advice you can lend me in this endeavor!

Sorry if this has been discussed before in a different section. I don't seem to be finding a lot of info. I've been searching for ideas on a DIY drying cabinet. Would like it to be long enough to handle belts and also roomy for holsters and other projects. Energy efficient too. I'm in the Midwest so solar may not work too well at least if the past few months of grey skys are any indication. I did see a few using incandescent lights, just looking for additional ideas (plastic container vs. wood, use insulation or don't, should have a fan to move air or not necessary, any extra ideas that you tried that worked or ended up not being worth it, etc.) before I move forward with the build. Pictures would be great if you have them. Thanks in advance.....

Hi everybody! I'm completely new to leather work but have always been good with my hands. I can't believe that it's taken me this long to start working with leather. I recently picked up an old Brookes bike saddle that is in pretty nasty shape. I've taken the metal off and am removing the rust. I'll also soak the leather and reshape it once the metal work is done. I've sanded the leather a bit to get off the worst of the soil. My question is, what do I do to the leather to restore it? I live in Warsaw, Poland, so my options are a bit limited with regard to product. I'd love to hear some ideas about how to restore the leather and return the shine. I'd like it to look a bit like the one in the green background when all is said and done. Ideas? Can't wait to learn from you all. Best wishes, Ryan What I have. What I want/

Is there a quicker way to dry leather indoors than just letting it sit? Would putting it in front of a fan work? Or over a heater vent? I am trying to finish some projects that were dipped in vinegaroon and I would like to shave a little bit of time off the drying process. I have dipped the items in vinegaroon, then in a neutralizing solution, then rinsed in warm water. Also, if there are simple methods for wet leather faster, would the same methods work for drying oiled leather faster, so that I can apply multiple coats in shorter amounts of time? Thanks! Zayne

Hello, I am about to dip dye several small pieces of leather and I am looking for a good way to dry them on some sort of shelf or rack. Does anyone have any good idea for a rack system of drying, say if you have to dry 100 small pieces and couldn't fill up all your tables? There must be some sort of plastic grating that allows airflow? Thanks!!

What is the proper temperature and moisture level at which leather should be stored? I live in the desert southwest. I'm afraid my unused leather is drying out. I keep it in plastic bins. Does anyone know how to keep leather at the right temp and moisture level?

Hi, I've got a question here regarding a few hides of natural vegtable tan steer leather I bought for leather handbags. The leather is very stiff, dry, and pale and the way I have the bag stuctured, a very large piece comprises both the front and the back and needs to remain faily stiff for the structure to work. I plan to sell these at a higher price point and I'm worried about wrinkles that developed at the handle and when I inverted the bag after sewing. What is the best way to prevent at least the intitial wrinkles so it displays nicely? My plan was just to apply tan-kote but it will take a lot. Perhaps a thin layer? Any better suggestions? Thanks, Cameron