David Report post Posted June 13, 2010 (edited) It has been a while since I posted anything, so this will be a first for me posting a problem! Some weeks ago Jeff Cochran asked me to do an oxblood colored seat for his 66 chop that he just finished. When I saw it on the bike I thought it was too red..... but Jeff liked it so it stayed on the bike. How was I to know that the Oxblood dye was just as susecptable as black to rubbing off! This was my first "color" seat. So, this week the seat came back to me looking terrible. At the rear of the seat the oxblood was rubbed off almost to the natural color. I should have taken pics for this post but I got right to work on it. First a complete cleaning with a deglazer. Then came the redye.... I mixed a special color to darken the seat to be closer to the bike color. This time a coat of neat lac followed everything. I don't like to use neatlac on bike seats because it can crack and peal, but I decided to give it a try; but I rubbed it in with a cloth rather than spraying it on. This way I used as little of it as possisble and left only a thin coat on the surface of the leather. Here are some pics to show everyone the difference. The first pic not only shows a much redder seat but you can see the bike color here too. I think this will come much closer to the actual bike color. Dave Theobald Edited June 13, 2010 by David Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MADMAX22 Report post Posted June 13, 2010 Thats a bummer, hope the guy wasn't to pissed off. The refinished one looks really good though. Wanted to add that is how I learned to apply my neatlac when I use it. 2 or 3 thin coats rubbed in they dont peel or crack. Takes a little longer but works better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Report post Posted June 14, 2010 It has been a while since I posted anything, so this will be a first for me posting a problem! Some weeks ago Jeff Cochran asked me to do an oxblood colored seat for his 66 chop that he just finished. When I saw it on the bike I thought it was too red..... but Jeff liked it so it stayed on the bike. How was I to know that the Oxblood dye was just as susecptable as black to rubbing off! This was my first "color" seat. So, this week the seat came back to me looking terrible. At the rear of the seat the oxblood was rubbed off almost to the natural color. I should have taken pics for this post but I got right to work on it. First a complete cleaning with a deglazer. Then came the redye.... I mixed a special color to darken the seat to be closer to the bike color. This time a coat of neat lac followed everything. I don't like to use neatlac on bike seats because it can crack and peal, but I decided to give it a try; but I rubbed it in with a cloth rather than spraying it on. This way I used as little of it as possisble and left only a thin coat on the surface of the leather. Here are some pics to show everyone the difference. The first pic not only shows a much redder seat but you can see the bike color here too. I think this will come much closer to the actual bike color. Dave Theobald I saw the new color on the bike today. It is a dead on match....and Jeff loved the look of it. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
czechmauseritis Report post Posted June 14, 2010 I saw the new color on the bike today. It is a dead on match....and Jeff loved the look of it. Dave Nice to see others dealing successfully with some of the issues that I've had... Most of my problems have been black on spike bayonet scabbards.. These get rubbed a lot on pantlegs, brush, rocks etc. and it was pretty embarrassing to see then come back grey or nearly natural How does one avoid this issue to fix the color to the leather? It almost seems like some sides are more prone to this than others.... Nice work and good recovery! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Report post Posted June 14, 2010 Nice to see others dealing successfully with some of the issues that I've had... Most of my problems have been black on spike bayonet scabbards.. These get rubbed a lot on pantlegs, brush, rocks etc. and it was pretty embarrassing to see then come back grey or nearly natural How does one avoid this issue to fix the color to the leather? It almost seems like some sides are more prone to this than others.... Nice work and good recovery! All I can advise you is to try rubbing on some neatlac after the dye is dry. It will make them dry a bit shiney but it should help the crocking problem. If Neatlac is not available, try Deft. This is a lacquer wood finish available in most hardware stores. Again rub it on with a cloth. Also Deft is available in gloss, satin and flat finishes. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
czechmauseritis Report post Posted June 14, 2010 All I can advise you is to try rubbing on some neatlac after the dye is dry. It will make them dry a bit shiney but it should help the crocking problem. If Neatlac is not available, try Deft. This is a lacquer wood finish available in most hardware stores. Again rub it on with a cloth. Also Deft is available in gloss, satin and flat finishes. Dave How durable is the Eco Flow Super Shene? That's what I have at present, but I'm not thrilled with it... I started with Neat Lac and they talked me into getting this stuff and it's OK, but I'm still not convinced... Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Report post Posted June 14, 2010 How durable is the Eco Flow Super Shene? That's what I have at present, but I'm not thrilled with it... I started with Neat Lac and they talked me into getting this stuff and it's OK, but I'm still not convinced... Thanks! In my humble opinion nothing in the Eco Flow line is worth wasting your money on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
czechmauseritis Report post Posted June 14, 2010 LOL Good thing I only got the 4 oz bottle to try it with.. I'll stick to my gut from now on. My Dad and Grandad used Neat lac for nearly 100 combined years of leatherworking and now I just feel stupid... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BarryS Report post Posted June 15, 2010 I second the opinion on the Eco-Flow line. I have not ever had any luck with it. In fact when I did use the Super shene it actually cracked on me and left a horrible finish. Wyo-shene (Neat Lac) is the way to go. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Report post Posted June 15, 2010 LOL Good thing I only got the 4 oz bottle to try it with.. I'll stick to my gut from now on. My Dad and Grandad used Neat lac for nearly 100 combined years of leatherworking and now I just feel stupid... No reason to feel stupid, what you will probably find is that Tandy no longer has NeatLac. They have a product called SaddleLac. Have not tried it, but you can find the original formula NeatLac in ads in LW&SJ. Or you can just buy Deft from your hardware store. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
