My project highjacked by Eco-flo

[TimKleffner]

Lael

There are really GOOD water based products out there. Tandy carried Fiebings products for years and stopped carrying them when the found this 'Eco-flo' stuff. I AM a die hard Fiebings products user.

I make black cell phone cases and badge wallets for a bunch of the area law enforcement. It's all black!

I basket each product, oil it, dye it, with Black USMC spirit dye, then buff off all excess. I use FIEBINGS acrylic resolene.

I take a cup of resolene, 1/2 cup water and mix well. I submerse the product, with a dauber, I gently scrub inside and out. I pull it out, wipe it down with a piece of t-shirt, then set it aside to dry. Couple hours later, I gently buff it again, buff out my edges, then set my snaps.

SINCE I have gone to this process, I have NO complaints. I get them back several years later when the officer has a new cell phone, and they appear worn , BUT , NO COMPLAINTS.

This is what I do.

Happy tooling

Tim

[lael]

Rayban,

Are you saying apply USMC black polish or dye over the eco flo dye and satin sheen that are already on the sheath then apply more satin sheen?

[whinewine]

lael:

I think the biggest thing is to seal in the dyes well, whether or not if you've used spirit dyes or ecoflo (or any other waterbased dyes). I have, for instance, made coaster sets using ecoflo dyes (primarily because of the color ranges they come in) & they haven't bled- BUT I seal them with neatlac or saddle lac, including the edges. AND I make several applications, just to be sure. I am NOT a big fan of the super/satin sheen stuff- I just feel you are asking for trouble by using a waterbased finish over a waterbased dye in a water-moist environment...

russ

[lael]

Thanks All,

I should have known better...really. I just finished washing / stripping the sheath. All I can say is wow!!!! Woww!!!! That all came off so easily. Three applications of dye and three applications of satin sheen...washed right off in warm water..very little scrubbing required. All I can say on top of that is that Im very disappointed in the salesmen at Tandy leather and myself for trusting their advice. I have totally lost my profit on this project. Im just glad that it didnt go out and bleed off on my client in the field. I have never dyed any of my leather work...only oiled and never had a problem. This was the first time I had a request for a dyed piece.

This has been a good lesson.

Again, Thank you all for your feedback and advice.

[jrny4wrd]

Solution, Fiebings Professional Oil Dye, does the job, smells even better..........screw that eco-friendly tree-hugging quiche eating card carrying still living with Mom movement.

Hope this helps.

There is character here. There is something special about traditional. It's respect. Respects towards what gives not just what is taken. There is a movement yes but it has been around since b4 feibing was even born. Its called respecting what gives. Maybe the water based hippy shit isn't working as good as some of the others, heck maybe it works like crap, but people are trying and with that can come things not only more safe for your mother, children, and you but also a bit more respects full for the earth and the cattle in which the hyde you have taken. So mock the movement if you want, everyone knows that a man can hunt with a knife and cry over which it killed and be more of a man then a gun that fears his internal self.

[Rayban]

There is character here. There is something special about traditional. It's respect. Respects towards what gives not just what is taken. There is a movement yes but it has been around since b4 feibing was even born. Its called respecting what gives. Maybe the water based hippy shit isn't working as good as some of the others, heck maybe it works like crap, but people are trying and with that can come things not only more safe for your mother, children, and you but also a bit more respects full for the earth and the cattle in which the hyde you have taken. So mock the movement if you want, everyone knows that a man can hunt with a knife and cry over which it killed and be more of a man then a gun that fears his internal self.

Great first post....welcome to the forum.....or not.....

[Gump]

Thanks All,

I should have known better...really. I just finished washing / stripping the sheath. All I can say is wow!!!! Woww!!!! That all came off so easily. Three applications of dye and three applications of satin sheen...washed right off in warm water..very little scrubbing required. All I can say on top of that is that Im very disappointed in the salesmen at Tandy leather and myself for trusting their advice. I have totally lost my profit on this project. Im just glad that it didnt go out and bleed off on my client in the field. I have never dyed any of my leather work...only oiled and never had a problem. This was the first time I had a request for a dyed piece.

This has been a good lesson.

Again, Thank you all for your feedback and advice.

lael; I have been making knife sheaths and holsters for 20 odd years and I find Fiebings pro oil dye very water resistant on it own, however I like to keep outdoor gear coated with neatsfoot oil compound and nothing else. I find beeswax the best for sealing the edges. Apply wax after finishing and rub in well with slicker. Leather will absorb more water through an untreated edge than anywhere else. As for the Eco-flo, two thumbs down. Gump.