To Dye or not to Dye

[ArcherBen]

I continue to have an internal struggle as to whether or not to dye the inside of my holsters. So far I have dyed four of them and left one natural on the inside (finished with a coat of TanKote) and have been pleased with both results from different respects. On one hand, it's nice to have the entire holster one color. However, it is then difficult to get all of the dye particles off of the flesh side (inside of the holster) before your final top coat. How do all of you approach this?

[leatherjunkie]

if i am using one color only on the holster i will dip dye the holster.

i have a bucket setup to pour dye in and then just submerge the holster into the dye till its completly covered with dye.

swiss it around for a few seconds then set holster out to dry.

to me the holster looks unfinished when the inside is not dyed.

after dye has dried just use some sheepskin and buff it out. after holster is formed to the handgun/firearm, and it is completly dry put on the final (sealer) coat.

[Jim L.]

I continue to have an internal struggle as to whether or not to dye the inside of my holsters. So far I have dyed four of them and left one natural on the inside (finished with a coat of TanKote) and have been pleased with both results from different respects. On one hand, it's nice to have the entire holster one color. However, it is then difficult to get all of the dye particles off of the flesh side (inside of the holster) before your final top coat. How do all of you approach this?

Almost all my holsters are lined, if not then the inside is dyed and slicked with Resolene, I have also slicked with Tankote but prefer the Rsolene. JL

[Shorts]

I dye the inside of my holsters.

[DCKNIVES]

This is always been a pet peeve of mine.I hate when I see a nicely done sheath or holster or to see raw leather on the inside or under the belt loop.It looks so unfinished and unprofessional to me.My mentor taught me to dye and seal everything.Dave

[Tac]

Nothing is left "undyed" on my holsters..... Unless the whole holster is just oil tanned and left natural..... I agree with DC on this one for sure... anything else looks "un-finished" to my eye.

[tat2]

I continue to have an internal struggle as to whether or not to dye the inside of my holsters. So far I have dyed four of them and left one natural on the inside (finished with a coat of TanKote) and have been pleased with both results from different respects. On one hand, it's nice to have the entire holster one color. However, it is then difficult to get all of the dye particles off of the flesh side (inside of the holster) before your final top coat. How do all of you approach this?

Hello, Personally I do not dye the inside of my holsters nor do any of my customers ask or even comment on it they just accept it the way it is constructed. I found it hard when dyeing the inside as I used more dye due the leather being dry and just soaking it up. I use neetsfootoil and spray the inside le the sun tan it for a doy or two then dye the outer side. I worried that the dye may come of on the blade or gun. hope this answers your question.

Stephen