evening out dye

[Tkleather1]

I was trying to dye a fairly descent size backgound in a medium brown and am having a real issue with how uneven it is. It is a backgruond for a sheridan carved pattern on a purse in some areas the dye is a nice light color and other areas it is almost black. I am hoping it will even out over night but I would like to hear suggestions on how to make it more even in the future.

[TwinOaks]

You can try wetting/dampening the piece before applying the dye. I've had limited success doing that. The absolute best results I've had so far is using an airbrush. If you're turning out work at anything resembling a good pace, it'll pay for itself quickly.

[Tkleather1]

with the airbrush can you get into tight places? Some of the background is open but some is tight between the flowers and the stems and leaves. I dont know I jsut need to practice more or just use black on everything I geuss

[TwinOaks]

It really depends on how much time you want to learn doing it. Depending on the airbrush and set up, just about anything is possible. To give you an idea of how finely an AB can go...some $$$$types are used to add in hair strands on photos...or remove them. I've got a harbor freight "el cheapo" that I use for large areas b/c it isn't super adjustable. I dyed a clutch purse with two coats of two different dyes....in about 15 minutes (the one on my website). Another 10 minutes with the other AB, to do all the areas around the two horses. The 'other' AB is a Paashe VL. The kit comes with 3 needle/valve sets and can spray from about 4" diameter to less than a milimeter. After that.....well it's all in the user.

Check out some AB sites to see the detail work that can be done. Scratch that....go get a decent quality AB (Paashe, Badger, things made of metal parts, not molded plastic and a nozzle) and you'll never look back. I still use dauber from time to time....but only when I'm trying to get the mottled look that Shorts does on some holsters.

[MADMAX22]

I have heard but havnt tried it but you can dye your work normally and get everywhere then go back over it with an airbrush to help cover up any uneven tones. May be worth a try, heard of someone doing that in the holster section.

[CitizenKate]

When I'm applying dyes with a bristle brush, once I've made a few passes to get the overall color how I want it, I then go after the lighter spots with the brush loaded lighter/dryer. I dab more color into those areas, then blend the strokes from wet to dry to get them to blend with the surrounding area.

Kate