How to dye/finish a tote bag

[WiscoSam]

I am working on making another one of these tote bag things like you see in the picture. This next one will have a side that has a floral tooled pattern. Otherwise it will be the same. For the first one (one in the pic) I used neatsfoot oil, then pro-dye, then a couple coats of resolene. My question is, I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on a different/better method to dye and finish this next tote bag. 

Because part of it will be tooled should I use and antique? And if so in what order - do I dye with dye first, then antique when the dye dries? (i've used antique before on belts but never over any existing dye, the antique was the only dye used and I'm not sure thats the correct way). 

For a finish, instead of resolene i was thinking of using leather balm with atom wax. I've never used that before and was wondering if it would be a good product for a project like this. 

 

Thanks folks

[DwightT]

I almost always apply an antique to my tooled items since it helps to hi-lite the tooling.  After tooling I apply any dyes, then a coat of Resist (Fiebings Pro-Resist), the the antique, and finally a top coat finish.  The Resist keeps the antique from discoloring the died areas.  Since you only used the antique before on un-tooled leather, you were probably more after the staining effect, while for this it sounds like you are after the hi-lighting.

When you apply the antique, work it over the entire area making sure that it gets into the recesses of the tooling.  Then wipe it off using a damp cloth or paper towel that has been folded over multiple times to make it fairly stiff.  You don't want to wipe very hard.  The idea is to just get the antique off of the raised areas of the tooling and leave it in the recessed areas.

    /dwight

[WiscoSam]

Hey Dwight, thanks for the reply. Its ok to use the antique over a resist product (like pro-resist or supershene)? Meaning the antique will still apply correctly over the resist products? Also what would you recommend for a final finish? Ive always used resolene, but for this project I was considering leather balm with atom wax. Although I'm not sure if that would take the antique off. 

[DwightT]

Yes, you can apply the antique over the resist.  That is the typical application.  I usually use a spray-on lacquer such as Fiebing's Saddle-Lac.  The problem that I've had with rub on or brush on top coats is that they do take the antique off.

    /dwight