How Can I Get My Leather To Look Like This?

[NewYorkerInSydney]

Hi friends,

I really like the look of these belts. How can I get my leather to look like this? First, what color dyes would I need to get a similar look for and what techniques are best to make it look like it. Notice the leather looks faded and lighter and darker in some places. How can I get my belts to look just like these photos? Any ideas. I appreciate you taking a look.

Thanks very much

[Kate]

Hi friends,

I really like the look of these belts. How can I get my leather to look like this? First, what color dyes would I need to get a similar look for and what techniques are best to make it look like it. Notice the leather looks faded and lighter and darker in some places. How can I get my belts to look just like these photos? Any ideas. I appreciate you taking a look.

Thanks very much

That looks to me like the maker used a "pull up" leather, ie, one that when flexed will show lighter or darker areas as the grain is flexed. Siegel of California usually has this type on hand, it's pretty interesting stuff for chaps etc.

Kate

[NewYorkerInSydney]

That looks to me like the maker used a "pull up" leather, ie, one that when flexed will show lighter or darker areas as the grain is flexed. Siegel of California usually has this type on hand, it's pretty interesting stuff for chaps etc.

Kate

THanks Kate, but how can I replicate this look with dye? Anyone? Thank you much.

[8thsinner]

Don't worry about the dye so much.

If you want toe worn look, first off google worn leather effect, and you will find hundreds of people all saying the same thing, Stamp on it, sand it, drive over it, drag it behind the car for a few miles

etc etc

Theres a fine line between worn look and weakened leather you should be able to tell where that is and stop before you get there.

[Nobody]

I'm relatively new to the craft and should probably just keep my mouth shut and read, but we have a similar interest in regards to finish and seeing as how I simply try things to see what happens, I may be able to help a tiny bit.

I've inadevertently produced a similar effect to photo 1 using Eco-Flo stain, applied unevenly via the edge of a sponge using a dabbing action & removed with damp cloth. I looked upon it at the time as a fault because it was not what I intended. At this point, and due to your post, I can see how it might be useful. If you try the theory, then I can tell you that Eco-Flo briar brown is too warm to reproduce that tone but it looks like the coffee brown might possibly work. I'll have to go back & experiment with it myself.

I'm not sure on the other 2. Photo 2 looks like normal patina from the flexing of wear. And I am suspecting that photo 3 may be reproducable by flexing the piece viciously before staining. I'll try that before it is over to see if I can make use of it. I'm partial to nice leather grain.

Anyway, I hope that is of some use.

[Drac]

the look in the first pic was done with vegtan leather and simply by using uneven pressure to burnish the topside. in the second and third pics are a different type of leather and are "factory finished" at the tannery like that. in other words, you'll have to buy leather already done like that.