How do I get this brown?

[Timothy Lindblom]

Hi, been reading the forum for a few months but just signed up today. 
I'm working on a leather belt for my Mom and she wants it brown like the pair of boots in the photo below. 
I've always used Fiebings leather dye and there's nothing similar to a brown like the boots. By the time those dyes get lighter, they start to get orange. These boots are still brown even though they are nice light brown. Do I need to mix colors together or is there a dye on the market that is the color I'm looking for?

Any advice would be appreciated. 

Below is a photo of the brown boots I would like to match

 

And here is a photo of a scrap with medium brown diluted with about 40% water and the leather was coated with resolene before dyed. I like the color but it is much more orange than the boots. 

 

Edited June 25 by Timothy Lindblom

[AlZilla]

@Timothy Lindblom

You probably should convert those pics to jpg or png or something more common. They don't display for me and probably a bunch more folks.

[Timothy Lindblom]

2 minutes ago, AlZilla said:

@Timothy Lindblom

You probably should convert those pics to jpg or png or something more common. They don't display for me and probably a bunch more folks.

Fixed, thanks. I don't know why it likes to choose HEIC files which no one can do anything with!

[AlZilla]

Thank you!

Now, that brown ... there's a "Bison Brown" from Tandy that might be closer. The biggest problem is who knows if the pic on your monitor is going to resemble in person samples.

Here's a color chart for Angelus dyes:

[Timothy Lindblom]

Thanks. I had seen the Eco-Flo Bison Brown and thought it was nice but still not the same. Some of those Angelus colors are pretty close

[bland]

Matching a color is hard.  You have a lot of things working against you.  The boots are chrome tanned leather and have some patina from wear.  Vegtable tanned leathers from different tanneries have different color tones even different hides from the same tannery have slight differences.  I don't think there is an exact science. 

There will be a lot of trial and error.  If I was trying to match the color of the boots I would probably start with a Fiebings  Dark Chocolate or Walnut (they are a little less orange/tan) diluted down to about 1/4 strength with alcohol.  If it is too light add a little more dye too dark more alcohol.  If it is still too orange I would add a little black and more dilution, the black will tone down the orange.  Keep track of the ratios and keep test piece of scrap where you can see the differences.  When you get close add your finish of choice and see where you are at. 

It is going to be a science experiment.

Have fun!   

[SUP]

I got a similar brown when I was first learning to dye leather and did not use the resist correctly before antiquing. The leather got dyed  a  uniform dark brown with the antiquing dye. You could try it on some scrap. As far as I can remember, I used Eco-Flo dark brown gel antique. I used a split for the sheath and used the antique finish as a dye precisely to get this brown.

Edited June 25 by SUP

[Timothy Lindblom]

8 hours ago, bland said:

Matching a color is hard.  You have a lot of things working against you.  The boots are chrome tanned leather and have some patina from wear.  Vegtable tanned leathers from different tanneries have different color tones even different hides from the same tannery have slight differences.  I don't think there is an exact science. 

There will be a lot of trial and error.  If I was trying to match the color of the boots I would probably start with a Fiebings  Dark Chocolate or Walnut (they are a little less orange/tan) diluted down to about 1/4 strength with alcohol.  If it is too light add a little more dye too dark more alcohol.  If it is still too orange I would add a little black and more dilution, the black will tone down the orange.  Keep track of the ratios and keep test piece of scrap where you can see the differences.  When you get close add your finish of choice and see where you are at. 

It is going to be a science experiment.

Have fun!   

Thanks. Would you coat the leather in resolene prior to rubbing on the walnut or chocolate dye? I do normally because it causes the dye to go on much more evenly but it also messes with the shade of the color a little.

[BlackDragon]

Resolene is a protective finish and should be used to seal the leather. It's better to dampen the leather with water or use a little neatsfoot oil to make your dye even out. Also when adding your finish it is likely the color will change as well. It may become a deeper color and more glossy esp when using an oil or resolene. 

What Fiebings dye are you using, Pro or Ecoflo? If you're using Pro don't dilute with water, you can use alcohol.

Color matching can be very difficult, especially with something that has been in the elements and has darken over time, BUT it may be possible to get somewhat close. Also the leather you use for a test should come from the same leather you're going to make your belt because different leather may react differently to the same dye. Sometimes even using a different section of the same leather can change results.

To the color you showed try adding just a little bit of blue to see if it brings down the yellow. A few drops of blue goes a long way and you can always add more.

[TomG]

I would never undercoat with anything but pure NFO.

Resolene is an acrylic sealer, closely related to floor wax. 

You might want to try dip dying for even coats.

Edited June 25 by Northmount
Fixed typo (relaxed > related)