Getting An Even Finish Using Fiebings Dye

[Chrism]

I use a different way of which my own. I'll clean the leather with denatured alcohol, spray dye it with an airbrush, lightly oil it, do my sitching, then finish the edges and final coat of resolene or balm with atom wax. After that a light polish of saddle soap. If I painted the leather it'd  be a different way. Works for me. 

[silverwingit]

I love the organic look and feel of fine leather. I feel that spraying or dipping it produce results that are actually too uniform and fail to bring out the beautiful grain, barbed wire scars, insect bites, brands, and natural non-uniformities in a good piece of vegetable tanned leather.

Therefore I prefer block dyeing because it enhances these natural marks. I use 1:1 or 2:1 alcohol to Feibing's Pro Oil dye dilutions. Wrap a piece of 2x4 with several layers of strips cut from an old t-shirt and staple them so there are no seams or wrinkles on the  bottom surface. Dip in the diluted dye until it's saturated and pass it over the leather with overlapping strokes using light pressure. You'll see the natural organic beauty enhanced as you go. Stop when you have the desired shade. Of course the dye will lighten up significantly when it dries. If you haven't over done it and wanted it darker you can go back and repeat the process. So it's better to be conservative the first time.

Try it -- you'll like it!

Michelle