Paint

[Highlands858]

Oil or water-based? What do the pro's use, and why?

I've been using water-based, but I don't know why. Links would be appreciated as well.

[Chavez]

Hi.

For paints, I believe that acrylics are the most popular. Not sure if you can use anything else.

For dyes, spirit based (including so-called "oil dyes") seem to have better penetration, however, there's a recent thread in the finishes sections about getting good results with water-based dyes.

Here it is: http://leatherworker...showtopic=38260

PPS I'm not a pro by the way=) Just collating the dye info I've read on this forum.

Edited April 28, 2012 by Chavez

[Tina]

As an artist (before starting with leather) I have all these wonderful oilpaints at home...I did a trialround with the oil paints on leather and now around 4-5 years ago the pieces is just as beautiful as the day I painted it :-)

[Northmount]

Some post here recently said oil paint peals when the leather is flexed. Do a search, there is lots of info already posted.

CTG

[DoubleC]

I'm no expert but all I use are water based paints, and mostly water based dyes too. I paint on 2" conchos and water is way more forgiving. I picked an odd specialty for someone with shaky hands.