predictable look of finish

[Patdf]

Hello all,

I'm pretty much a novice here and have about seven projects under my belt. All my projects as of now are small in size, example wallets, checkbook covers, and a few 5"x5" floral designs. I've experimented with different finishes on all to get an idea of the results. I did a black dye background and left the flowers untouched and finished off with super sheen. I've tried Eco Flo antique gel straight up, and another with blockout on the flower pedals. Another I used Eco Flo Chestnut highlite. All with pretty good results. Yesterday I finished what I would call my better of all carvings and used Eco Flo saddle tan straight up, and I was soooo dissapointed with the results. The background was so unconsistant with color ( some areas took different ) I couldn't get the uniform color through out the leather. I spent a lot of time on this project and before I finished it was planning of framing it, as of now it'll be a sample piece on color selection, which I don't think anyone would ever want LOL. Are there any books or advice I could get that would give me a predictable look of finish so I wouldn't ruin a carving again. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Pat

[freak]

I'de say with the eco-flo products you're not going to get much help. It's a new product line and i've found that not even the people at TLF really now much about it. But,,,, i'de say you're at the right place to be asking cause some of us here at trying to find it's "limits" if you will.

For now i would always practice on a piece of scrap first. It took me many tries with the antique gels to get the result i wanted and it' still differ from one weight of leather to the next.

[abn]

Pat, I've never used the Hi-Lite Color Stains, but I can comment on the Eco Flo Leather Dyes. Maybe the tips below can help with the stains, or maybe you'd like to try some of the dye... Ranger Tan (2600-07) produces a really rich saddle-tan-like color...

I've found there are definitely some techniques for getting a uniform color with Eco Flo dyes, and the #1 rule is: don't use a wool dauber! I think the best technique is to use an airbrush. If you're not interested in that, then I'd dampen a kitchen sponge, ring all of the water out of it, and then use it to apply the dye. Be sure to apply a little dye at a time in circular motions -- don't load the leather up on the very first pass, build the color up. The result should be slightly darker than you want the finished piece; it will lighten up when it dries. One final tip is to add a light coat of pure neatsfoot oil when the leather is completely dry (usually the next day). Even though this will darken the color a bit, it also seems to even it out.

As Freak mentions, always try out new techniques on scrap. It took me several hours of playing around with the new Eco Flo line to figure out what worked for me. Don't give up yet!

Good luck, -Alex