Getting An Even Finish Using Fiebings Dye

[wvcraftsman]

I'm sure this is beating a dead horse. The last several pieces I've dyed have had light and dark spots. I'm using a wool dauber to apply the dye. I've tried wiping it off as soon as I noticed it was too dark. The darker dyes seem to be worse than the lighter dyes. Any suggestions? Is there a book that can help me?

I might add that USMC black is great to have around too!!

[Luke Hatley]

Go back and read the post on air-brushes....or.. i use the preval sprayers from tandy

or a better paint store.yes it works....

Edited March 6, 2011 by Luke Hatley

[wvcraftsman]

Go back and read the post on air-brushes....or.. i use the preval sprayers from tandy

or a better paint store.yes it works....

Thanks Luke. I'll check them out.

[Big O]

I've had good luck using Fiebings Leather STAIN and diluting it with either neatsfoot oil or denatured alcohol. Then I use one of those disposable foam paintbrushes and apply it to the leather. I apply it quickly, and keep brushing at all different angles - vertical, horizontal, and both diagonals, in turn.

I tried Fiebings Pro Oil Dye, and it soaked in so fast I couldn't really brush it around. My solution to that was to swear off of it and go back to the stain. But airbrushing or dip dye might work, too......

[Johnny B]

I wet my leather then air brush my finish on. I can feather the edges or darken them to my liking.

[wvcraftsman]

Thanks Big O and Johnny. I actually have an airbrush that I've never used. It came in a kit with something else I wanted. I guess I'm gonna have to find an airbrush compressor and try the airbrush.

[benlilly1]

It wouldn't be that the dark spots are from your hands? I learned to have clean dry hands. NO lotions. I found this out after tooling a piece and dyeing.

[wvcraftsman]

It wouldn't be that the dark spots are from your hands? I learned to have clean dry hands. NO lotions. I found this out after tooling a piece and dyeing.

No, I was careful that my hands were clean. I think that I was swabbing a little too slow and caused it to be too dark.

[terrymac]

I use a lot of Fiebings Pro Oil in the dark brown color, and I just keep putting it on until it all evens out. I apply with disposable foam brushes, and for what ever reasons, different parts of the leather take the dye differently. Perhaps it is the amount in the brush, or areas of the leather tanned a little differently. What I have found is that regardless how much I put on, it remains a dark brown. I apply, let it soak in, find the lighter areas, and go back over it, sometimes 3 or 4 times. I have never had the dyed area turn anything than what I would expect dark brown to be. Maybe it is just dumb luck, but it works for me.

Terry

[wvcraftsman]

I use a lot of Fiebings Pro Oil in the dark brown color, and I just keep putting it on until it all evens out. I apply with disposable foam brushes, and for what ever reasons, different parts of the leather take the dye differently. Perhaps it is the amount in the brush, or areas of the leather tanned a little differently. What I have found is that regardless how much I put on, it remains a dark brown. I apply, let it soak in, find the lighter areas, and go back over it, sometimes 3 or 4 times. I have never had the dyed area turn anything than what I would expect dark brown to be. Maybe it is just dumb luck, but it works for me.

Terry

Maybe that's part of my problem too. I was using the mahogany oil dye and it was darker than I thought it should be, but maybe that's just the way it is.