Airbrushing

[kgg]

13 minutes ago, Scoutmom said:

could you put a link to the  three way outlet splitter ($10 CAD)?

It appears the price went up from the $9.99 CAD when I ordered it to $10.69

https://www.amazon.ca/Airbrush-Splitter-Disconnect-Regulation-Compressor/dp/B09XDYFG93/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3Q6F555AR3IIX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wE4XqJHbKH9dn79iiZk-EH1t-_Jmt1oZ7neTJr9ZKPxohuZnpVvwpU1yIvUXgiwOzoTAebFLHjntt9ZW0wvYsVeALoPaLkJPHr2218LLQuSBgPGUvBEporcPt_4adYb7yizB6HVkyOu5hy1C7qAQZIAyuzV8xGNNiZUlYiL_lE_tzm58kUgZYrBseG8m_Oy8BtJrtV5_dM_4h7ZvHL_g_V9xVBNCaGzdkGUX-Pz5328KvUKLdM22rGWoJyq4BTIypNIs3C3KPV4BOEbcOmVCsqA89TlC0sSNQ5n5DptkaqY.UTa_EHjXPEQqqPzvA02-2XfKfSD_5cp3R5p6ffLqCmA&dib_tag=se&keywords=Tiiyee+Metal+Air+Hose+Splitter%2C+3-Way+Cross+Lever%2C+Quick-Connect%2C+Silver%2C+6.3+mm+%2F+0.25+inch%2C+Airbrush+Adapter&qid=1758242082&sprefix=tiiyee+metal+air+hose+splitter%2C+3-way+cross+lever%2C+quick-connect%2C+silver%2C+6+3+mm+%2F+0+25+inch%2C+airbrush+adapter+%2Caps%2C206&sr=8-1

 

kgg

Edited Friday at 12:36 AM by kgg

[kgg]

18 minutes ago, Scoutmom said:

Love the 3D printed holders

Thank you.

kgg

[CdK]

Nice setup.

I use a DA Paasche for airbrush work with dyes and I have found that using denatured alky instead of isopropyl alky for dilution gave me better penetration and finish on vegtan. The main reason for using an airbrush is gradient coloring/shading and the sunburst finish on small items is striking. I'm unsure how this will work on shoes or other previously treated leather.

Similar to you I apply a single coat of NFO minimum of 24hrs to vegtan before applying Fiebings Pro Dye cut to about 50/50 with alky. Absorption and even spread is quite good. As tests I did sectional cuts of 8~10oz HO and found I got better dye penetration on NFO treated than without.

Having spraying chamber or doing this outdoors and using a good respirator is important. 

 

Edited Friday at 03:01 AM by CdK
Duplication

[Scoutmom]

Thank you for the link.  Helped me find it in Amazon for the US.

[kgg]

7 hours ago, CdK said:

Having spraying chamber or doing this outdoors and using a good respirator is important.

Totally Agree. The next project is going to be a small spray enclosure with exhaust for the house. 

1 hour ago, Scoutmom said:

Thank you for the link. 

Glad it helped

kgg 

[Samalan]

On 9/18/2025 at 5:15 PM, kgg said:

This how I do it in a nut shell:

i) Apply Jojoba oil. The oil is undiluted and applied with +30 psi to the veg tan. Wait 24 hours. My theory is that with +30 psi the Jojoba oil is forced in the leather and causes the leather fibres expand to allow for better dye absorption. The reason I don't use Neatsfoot oil is there is a possibility of it going rancid and degrading stitching over a period of time?????

ii) Apply the dye. The dye mixed with 99 percent rubbing alcohol at a 50/50 ratio and applied at +30 psi. Wait 24 hours. On the shoes (done August 2023) I used a Paasche airbrush with a psi setting of +45 psi.

iii) Apply Jojoba oil to the veg tan. Wait 24 hours then finish.

Here is a couple of photo's of one shoe from each pair of shoes (done August 2023) after two years of wear. Like @Dwight mentioned you can do some nice fading which can be seen being a lighter tone on toe and darkening to the body of the shoe. 

kgg

Thank you so much for that response. Your work looks really great, wow, I have so much to learn, thank you for explaining and showing your work process.

[kgg]

6 hours ago, Samalan said:

Your work looks really great, wow, I have so much to learn, thank you for explaining and showing your work process.

I decided to replace my current veg tan fold-over wallet. Not because it failed but didn't like how the copper rivets held up over the last 4 years. This was done over the last few days and will be my daily wallet which lives in my front pants pocket. I keep my wallet pretty basic, drivers licence, credit card, health card, dental card and cash.

How I done it:

i) Leather used was 4/5 oz natural veg tan.

ii) The raw veg tan leather was airbrushed with 100% pure organic JOJOBA oil with no dilution at 34 psi on the exterior first and sat for 24 hours.

iii) The oiled veg tan leather was airbrushed with OX Blood at a 50/50 dilution of dye at 34psi

iv) The wallet pattern was cut, the cutout for the credit card was cutout and the fold over glued using LePages Heavy Duty Contact Cement. Let it sit for 24 hours under clamp compression. 

v) The wallet was cut to final dimensions, Chicago screws and corners were punched.

vii) The interior was airbrushed with JoJoba oil let to sit for about an hour.

viii) The interior was airbrushed with OX Blood at a 50/50 dilution of dye and sat for 24 hous.

ix) The stitching in the credit card section was done with V138 bonded nylon using a Juki LS-341 clone with a 3D printed table top attachment

x) The Chicago screws were installed in the credit card and the money clip.  

xi) The raw edges dyed

I got to touch up a couple parts on the corners and add another coat of oil to exterior.

 

   

 

Edited yesterday at 01:03 AM by kgg

[Samalan]

10 hours ago, kgg said:

last few days and will be my daily wallet which lives in my front pants pocket

I like that wallet, utilitarian design, simple I carry one very similar, and you're a front pocket carry, A'  me to for the last 58 years. I have done some airbrushing, but I will definitely try your method on my next project. Thanks again.