Help! Did I ruin my project?

[NicoleM]

13 minutes ago, MtlBiker said:

The martini suggestion was for YOU and not your sister in law!

I may not have much more experience than you, but I've learned (after "blotching" some dye jobs) that your leather really needs to be dampened before you apply dye.  I bought some Fiebings product (can't remember what it's called and I'm at work now) which I've used, but I also found that water works well.  But to rescue your project, how about dampening the leather and re-applying more dye?  That would probably even things out but at the cost of making it darker.

Good luck!

 

Thanks so much!

 

[tsunkasapa]

39 minutes ago, MtlBiker said:

The martini suggestion was for YOU and not your sister in law!

"Stirred, not shaken."

[JREESER1]

Friebing's dye reducer smells exactly like isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, so I use the store bought Isopropyl. It comes in 75%-78% alcohol solution, at Walmart, and costs less than a dollar per pint, as opposed to $4.00 for 4oz. of Friebing's. You can dilute with water. The alcohol/water mix will dry the leather out when dry. I then treat the leather with Friebing's Aussie Leather Conditioner , it has never failed me. Good luck!

jr

[NicoleM]

2 hours ago, JREESER1 said:

Friebing's dye reducer smells exactly like isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, so I use the store bought Isopropyl. It comes in 75%-78% alcohol solution, at Walmart, and costs less than a dollar per pint, as opposed to $4.00 for 4oz. of Friebing's. You can dilute with water. The alcohol/water mix will dry the leather out when dry. I then treat the leather with Friebing's Aussie Leather Conditioner , it has never failed me. Good luck!

jr

Thanks so much! Do you suggest soaking the leather in the solution? 

[JREESER1]

Try using a liberal amount on a clean cotton rag or white terry cloth towel. You can use quite a bit on the darkest spots while rubbing lightly and rinsing the cloth often. If this does not help considerably, dipping might be the only solution. Bear in mind you will not be able to get all the dye out or even be very consistent. But it may lighten up the worst areas. When you are ready to retry the dying use a very diluted color and apply the dye solution with a good sponge not the dauber that comes with the dye. Hand dying is a practiced art on large areas. Practice on scraps until you get the coverage and tints you want. Springfield leather used to have a series of YouTube videos on dye and dying techniques. I have not tried to view them, lately. Try to find them, they helped me a lot. 

Good luck

jr

[NicoleM]

1 hour ago, JREESER1 said:

Try using a liberal amount on a clean cotton rag or white terry cloth towel. You can use quite a bit on the darkest spots while rubbing lightly and rinsing the cloth often. If this does not help considerably, dipping might be the only solution. Bear in mind you will not be able to get all the dye out or even be very consistent. But it may lighten up the worst areas. When you are ready to retry the dying use a very diluted color and apply the dye solution with a good sponge not the dauber that comes with the dye. Hand dying is a practiced art on large areas. Practice on scraps until you get the coverage and tints you want. Springfield leather used to have a series of YouTube videos on dye and dying techniques. I have not tried to view them, lately. Try to find them, they helped me a lot. 

Good luck

jr

Thank you! I appreciate it!

[YinTx]

Fiebings dye reducer if I recall is denatured alcohol.  It or isopropyl work,  I have used both.  However, I must say it may not be you, it could just be the leather.  I had this issue with some of the import leathers I had, so I tend to use specific brands now.  If you still have the issue after all the suggestions, recognize it may be the quality of the hide.

YinTx

[fredk]

btw, with using all these different solutions on your leather they take out its natural oils which makes the leather go as stiff as a piece of masonite. You'll need to give it a feed of neatsfoot oil, aka NFO. But go easy with that, too much and its ruined. To make sure I give just a small amount of NFO, I have a wax & NFO mix which I apply and rub in, then buff off.

[Handstitched]

O'h dear !!! 

If it was me, 

Two options....dye it a darker colour, hide the ' mistooks' , but the blotches may still appear. 

or, as @fredk suggested...start again and learn from the experience  . 

And, so the piece of leather doesn't go to waste...... I'd be covering it in Cane Toad skins...and sell it. But it will be mighty expensive  .

I've never used daubers. Thats just me . I use large pieces of sheep skin scraps, around 2" square , cut & trimmed for large dying jobs, ....and move quickly & evenly . 

HS

[fredk]

21 hours ago, NicoleM said:

Hello all! I’m JUST starting out & have learned so much reading in the group! I’ve found myself in need of some help! Im making a photo album (3 ring binder) for my new baby niece. . . . .

This

I've given this more thought

Start again on a fresh piece of leather

1. its a very special present and deserves the best of the best

2. no matter what 'fixes' we can offer, it will still be a 'fix'

3. you'll spend more time, maybe wasted, which you can put to use on a new piece

4. and more cost of solutions to fix it than a piece of leather is worth

5. you'll never be happy with that fixed piece, but you will be on a new piece. You'll constantly worry if the fixed piece passes muster, but no worries that a new piece will do

6. Keep the old piece for practicing on or use parts of it in other projects