glueing, dyeing, oiling....in which order should I do these?

[setherd]

I have been working on watch straps. I lately have been glueing my leather first, then dyeing the leather. then adding a little oil (neats foot oil).

After that I cut it, make my groves for stitches, punch holes for the stitching. I add some more dye or oil if need be. then the final step is stitching and punching holes for the buckle.

I use barge cement for the glue. I have had a few spots seem to come unglued. I'm wondering if by adding dye or oil after I glue is wrong. I thought if the leather had more oils in it, it would not lgue as well.

I just got some bicks#4 and lexol in the mail yesterday so I'm going to try those instead of neatsfoot oil.

Thanks!

[TracyMoss]

IMO, the order should go: Dye let dry, oil-let dry, glue. The dye, if you use enough of it will act as a solvent for the glue, and I have found that the glue will sometimes cause the dye to be splotchy.

[Jordan]

Dye before any assembly. That way everything gets dyed, then touchup after assembly.

[NapervilleCobbler]

Agree with both above - do all the dying first, then assembly

[Jimbob]

dito !!