Finished, Now What?

[Reds Leather]

Ok, hypothetical situation.

Say i just finished tooling my belt and i am really to dye it.

I am using Fiebings Alcohol dyes. What do i do first? Anything? Just start rubbing on the dye? Use something to clean it first?

I have THIS but have no idea when i should use it. Should i use it before dying, or after i have finished dying the leather?

Once i have my color that i want, then what?

I have acrylic resolene which i was told was a finish, and i also have ecoflo gloss finish.

Do i just start rubbing them on now?

Then, is that it?

Is there anything else i should do before i call these belts/leather pieces done?

I know all of this has been asked over and over but i just need to know before i go on ruining tooled leather that i just spent days on.

Heres a belt i just finished.

Tooled it

3 coats of alcohol dye

one coat of resolene

considered finished.....

Cam (Red)

[Chavez]

Hi!

I am sure that the pros here will give you a more detailed advice, but I currently use the following steps:

1) Slick

2) Tool

3) Oil

4) Dye

5) Oil (if the colour allows it)

6) Finish (Resolene or carnauba)

7) Polish with kiwi neutral.

I would also be very happy to see if I'm missing any steps.

[Reds Leather]

Hi!

I am sure that the pros here will give you a more detailed advice, but I currently use the following steps:

1) Slick

2) Tool

3) Oil

4) Dye

5) Oil (if the colour allows it)

6) Finish (Resolene or carnauba)

7) Polish with kiwi neutral.

I would also be very happy to see if I'm missing any steps.

Thank you! When you say "oil" what kind of oil are you using? Any yeah, i just hope all of the pros answer! Thanks again though!

[Chavez]

I use extra virgn olive oil as advised on this forum. Just a light coat, let dry for 30-60 min, then another light coat.

The reason I use EVOO rather than neatsfoot is because its easier to get EVOO and there's always some in the kitchen =)

[Reds Leather]

I use extra virgn olive oil as advised on this forum. Just a light coat, let dry for 30-60 min, then another light coat.

The reason I use EVOO rather than neatsfoot is because its easier to get EVOO and there's always some in the kitchen =)

Awesome! Thanks! I did a little bit of research and found that the olive oil is a little greasier and takes a little longer to penetrate. Im going to get some Neatsfoot and try them both and decide from there! Is the oil just to clean the leather, or does it help with the dye soaking in?

[Chavez]

Awesome! Thanks! I did a little bit of research and found that the olive oil is a little greasier and takes a little longer to penetrate. Im going to get some Neatsfoot and try them both and decide from there! Is the oil just to clean the leather, or does it help with the dye soaking in?

Every time you case or dye your leather, you dry it out, so you need ot add some oils back to it to soften it up. Otherwise it's going to be stiff and grain side might crack, etc.

At least that's what I read on this forum in one of the posts =)

[jmann8686]

Every time you case or dye your leather, you dry it out, so you need ot add some oils back to it to soften it up. Otherwise it's going to be stiff and grain side might crack, etc.

At least that's what I read on this forum in one of the posts =)

I just got done with a wallet and I did not oil it enough before I dyed it and when I was done dying it I even oiled it more and when I was all done lacing it it cracked when I folded it in half. Luckily it was just a wallet for me. I just wanted to add my .02 on the oiling part

[Reds Leather]

i have another question. After applying dye, should i use oil again? I mixed some alcohol based dye with a gel antique to see what came of it. I like the color and how even it is, but im just wondering if i should re-oil before the next coat.

Thanks!