Leather Vest Patch

[The Doctor]

Hello, everyone. This is a photo of my fifth or sixth leather project, and I'm not quite sure how to proceed with finishing it. It's about 22 inches, top to bottom, and will be a patch for a black leather motorcycle riding vest. I know the design is pretty far off-centered, but I don't really care about that. My problem is this: I think I did way too much detail in the tooling. One way to make things stand out is with a bit of color contrast by dyeing it, but I don't want it to have a lot of bright color in it. I'm really not used to leather stains and dyes, and all I have access to at this time is whatever Tandy sells. Is there an antiquing finish that would bring out the detail? I have some of Tandy's All-in-One finish...any input on how that would look?

I know, I know...practice on some scrap, right? lol. Anyway, here's what it looks like. Any suggestions are very welcome.

Oh, yeah - I'm going to use the same background tool from the edge of the design out to the border that I used between the dragon's jawline and neck. Hopefully I can finish that today.

[The Doctor]

If it helps, here's a pic of the patch with the background and stitching holes done. I guess I'm finished with the tooling...

[builderofstuff]

I like it. I think you did a really good job on it as well. Better than any carvings I've done so far. I probably wouldn't have noticed it was off center a bit if you hadn't mentioned it.

Chris

[Chief31794]

Doctor,

I personally wouldn't recommend the "all-in-one" line from Tandy, I've tried them and they don't seem to cover well and I haven't been successful with successive coats in that the "all-in-one" implies that it seals the finish while it's dyeing.

Personally I like the "High Lighter" line of dyes, they do a fair job and you can apply them till you've got the coverage and color you want then finish them with your choice of finish to protect it.

Just my $.02, there are lots of folks out here that are much better at this than I.

Ken

[The Doctor]

I like it. I think you did a really good job on it as well. Better than any carvings I've done so far. I probably wouldn't have noticed it was off center a bit if you hadn't mentioned it.

Chris

Thanks, Chris. I'm really new at this stuff, but I got into the tattoo biz around 26 years ago, so I'm pretty sure anything I do will look like some whacky tattoo. Some of the technique translates pretty well to leather, but plenty of it doesn't, either. Thanks for the encouragement.

[The Doctor]

Doctor,

I personally wouldn't recommend the "all-in-one" line from Tandy, I've tried them and they don't seem to cover well and I haven't been successful with successive coats in that the "all-in-one" implies that it seals the finish while it's dyeing.

Personally I like the "High Lighter" line of dyes, they do a fair job and you can apply them till you've got the coverage and color you want then finish them with your choice of finish to protect it.

Just my $.02, there are lots of folks out here that are much better at this than I.

Ken

Thanks, Ken,

I've looked at those George Hurst videos online, and I think you're right. The only reason I even have the All-in-One is because they gave me a cheap kit thaqt had a small bottle in it last time I went in the store. Since I'll most likely use it in the future, I think I'll pick up a bottle and experiment with some scrap. Thanks again.

-James

[KateC]

WOW Doctor!!! Who cares about any "center", that patch is amazing! Im in awe of your talent. Wear it with pride!

I have no experience with tooling dyes so I cant help you there, just couldnt stop myself from saying WOW.....

[joquarter]

Wow , that's a great peace.

I agree with Ken , also use highligter in combination with oil dye en super sheen .

[Scary Leatherworks]

depending on what color you want you may want to dye, resist, antique and finish. This day planner I made is an example I of that. using an airbrush is easiest. for the planner 1st sprayed saddle tan on entire piece. 2nd on the edges sprayed med brown and chocolate brown to "fade" 3rd sprayed "leather balm with atom wax" over entire piece to seal in the stain and prevent the antiquing color to penetrate. then after its dry I rub antique paste on it and wipe it off with several clean cloths. need to wipe flat so the antique color stays in the depressions. then let it dry well before applying your final sealant (atom wax for me)

I use Fiebings dyes available at tandy because they aren't water based so less likely to be effected by rain, although I use tandy's eco-flo antique med brown.

very lightly damp paper towels are good for getting the excess antique finish off. I use several flipping or folding each wipe so I always have a clean side.

I have to give credit to David for posting this method a while back for his motorcycle seats.

hope this helps

Scott

[The Doctor]

WOW Doctor!!! Who cares about any "center", that patch is amazing! Im in awe of your talent. Wear it with pride!

I have no experience with tooling dyes so I cant help you there, just couldnt stop myself from saying WOW.....

Thank you very much, KateC. Praise like that is always as welcome as criticism.

-James

Edited November 13, 2010 by The Doctor