Question About Dying Leather

[johnggrg]

I have a question. I recently dyed my first holster a Med Brown with Fiebing's Leather Dye. I made it from 8-9 oz veg tan leather. Instead of it being a Med Brown it ended up dark brown. Is there a reason for this? It looks nice but not the color I wanted. Maybe a step I didn't do or something? If any one knows please let me know. As i said it is the first holster I have made and the first time dying anything. Thank you. john

[Randy Cornelius]

The trouble with leather is that it's all a little different. Always when you open a new roll of leather to try some dye on a scrap piece to see if the med brown is truley going to be medium or if it will end up a very dark brown. I know that HO tooling or holster leather will dye lighter than saddle skirting. So you just have to try it first. If you are wanting a med brown try a saddle tan dye first. I find that the saddle tan on saddle skirting is what I would call a med brown.

Good luck with you project.

Randy

[Lobo]

Ditto on Randy's comments.

Each hide will tend to take dye a little differently than every other hide. Experimentation on scraps, including your finish applications after dying, will give a much better idea of the final result.

Also, different methods of dye application will result in differences in dye penetration and final coloration. Dip-dyeing usually results in maximum absorption and penetration. Applying with a sponge or dauber may give mixed results, especially on multiple pieces cut from different hides. Spray application permits the best control, with multiple light applications possible allowing best control over the result.

Dye makers usually offer thinners, allowing the user to control the result over a range of results. Thorough mixing is required for best results, whether or not a thinning agent is used.

When testing on scraps don't forget to apply all the other products you will use after dying. Many, especially oil-based preparations, will darken dyed leather significantly.

[johnggrg]

Ditto on Randy's comments.

Each hide will tend to take dye a little differently than every other hide. Experimentation on scraps, including your finish applications after dying, will give a much better idea of the final result.

Also, different methods of dye application will result in differences in dye penetration and final coloration. Dip-dyeing usually results in maximum absorption and penetration. Applying with a sponge or dauber may give mixed results, especially on multiple pieces cut from different hides. Spray application permits the best control, with multiple light applications possible allowing best control over the result.

Dye makers usually offer thinners, allowing the user to control the result over a range of results. Thorough mixing is required for best results, whether or not a thinning agent is used.

When testing on scraps don't forget to apply all the other products you will use after dying. Many, especially oil-based preparations, will darken dyed leather significantly.

Thank you for the replies. I will remember that for my next project. This still came out good but not the color I really wanted but I can live with it. I used a dauber to dye it by the way. I will post pics when done. I will say it is nothing like what I have seen here but it will work for me. Only thing that is bad about it is I could not figure out how to put a strap on it to hold the pistol in the holster. I should have looked it up and incorperated it into the design. Next time I will. Thanks again for the information. John

[emr454]

I had the same problem with Fiebing's medium brown, it looked more like dark brown/black. If you bought the spirit based dye you can thin it some with isopropyl or denatured alcohol. I find that a 3:1 dye/alcohol mix gives me more of what I would call a medium brown color.

With that said, using a dauber or sponge may still require more than one coat to get even coverage, at least that was my experience. Definitely try it out on scraps first.

Eric