leathervan Report post Posted September 8, 2011 The dye is darker in some areas than others. What I am thinking is to wipe off the darker areas with a wet rag. Would that do it or is there some other way? I am using Eco Flo from Tandy. A saddle tan color. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
randypants Report post Posted September 8, 2011 The dye is darker in some areas than others. What I am thinking is to wipe off the darker areas with a wet rag. Would that do it or is there some other way? I am using Eco Flo from Tandy. A saddle tan color. it's what hand applied dyes do. the perfectly even dyed leather you might have seen is probably drum dyed. wiping the dark areas will do nothing but make it look darker while it's wet. try going over the lighter areas a few more times. it'll get you "close", but nothing will get you as even as drum dyed. unless you're talking about black. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lonestar tactical Report post Posted September 8, 2011 I used to try and dye using just a sponge or dobber but could not get the dye to come out even. Do not have an air compressor and do not like the little prevail power sprayer things. I started dip dying and wiping down the leather as it comes out to remove any excess and the issues went away. IMHO the wipe down when it comes out of being dipped really helps to even out the coat of dye. I usually dip 2x per holster with a wipe down between dips. then dry for 24 hours, coat with neatfeet oil, and finish. Also, Fiebings dye has been a better fit for me and the dye seems to take better than ecoflo. I just finished up 2 holsters - one in black and one in dark mahogony (sp). Black is fiebings and the other was eco. The fiebings dye just looks like the finished product is better YMMV. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leathervan Report post Posted September 9, 2011 I think It would be easier to antique the belt or use neats foot oil than to dye it. Tell me if I'm wrong. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leathervan Report post Posted September 10, 2011 I found that if I soak a rag in alcohol lightly I can rub off some of the darker spots to make it more even in color. Anyone else try that? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leathervan Report post Posted September 11, 2011 I found that if I soak a rag in alcohol lightly I can rub off some of the darker spots to make it more even in color. Anyone else try that? I take that back, it didn't work as well as I thought. From everything that I have done in leatherworking(which isn't a lot) dyeing seems to be the trickiest. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lgkitting Report post Posted June 17, 2013 Air brushing works well. Another way to go is using oil stains instead of waterbased. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
