Dyeing Problem

[whiteeugene]

I was making a new cell phone case for someone, got it all formed and tooled they wanted it purple. Wet the leather and put the dye on, it went on ok no blotches, but when it dried it came out Antique gold? Looks kind of cool but not what the customer wanted I have used this same bottle of dye on a belt and it came out great. I’m using 3-4 ounce oak tanned leather good stuff I’ve used it with other dyes and no problem any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks Doug

[pete]

I haven't dyed anything purple before, but the same thing happens with black occasionally if you don't put a first coat of a dark brown. Excellent question for Kevin at Springfield leather. Call him as he doesn't get chance to answer emails for days sometimes.

pete

[Sylvia]

I was making a new cell phone case for someone, got it all formed and tooled they wanted it purple. Wet the leather and put the dye on, it went on ok no blotches, but when it dried it came out Antique gold? Looks kind of cool but not what the customer wanted I have used this same bottle of dye on a belt and it came out great. I'm using 3-4 ounce oak tanned leather good stuff I've used it with other dyes and no problem any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks Doug

Can you post a picture? I have got to see this "gold" purple.

[whiteeugene]

Can you post a picture? I have got to see this "gold" purple.

Hi Sylvia

Here is a picture you can see the paper I had on the table is purple it has a brown tint where it leaked trough to the table top.

[Sylvia]

Hi Sylvia

Here is a picture you can see the paper I had on the table is purple it has a brown tint where it leaked trough to the table top.

Yep it looks gold! Hmmm... have you buffed it yet?

I find that if I use spirit dyes and get over zealous in applying I get a metallic-like sheen. But when I buff, it seems to go away along with excess pigments.

[whiteeugene]

Yep it looks gold! Hmmm... have you buffed it yet?

I find that if I use spirit dyes and get over zealous in applying I get a metallic-like sheen. But when I buff, it seems to go away along with excess pigments.

I have not tried to buff it yet; I usually try to give my projects 2 or 3 coats letting it dry between each coat. This started to turn gold within a few moments I tried it on some other scrap pieces and it did the same thing. Not sure what happened I dyed a belt with the purple a few weeks back and it came out great, I may just get another bottle of dye and see if that’s the problem, I don’t think it is though.

[Sylvia]

When you dampened the leather was it with tap water for distilled? If you have particularly hard water, I know from tie dying,... it can change your color. I've not had it happen to me with leather dyes though.

.

Can you tell us what brand of dye it was?

I feel for you. To me the dye and finish process is the most surprising and frustrating part. I hope you find a solution

[whiteeugene]

When you dampened the leather was it with tap water for distilled? If you have particularly hard water, I know from tie dying,... it can change your color. I've not had it happen to me with leather dyes though.

.

Can you tell us what brand of dye it was?

I feel for you. To me the dye and finish process is the most surprising and frustrating part. I hope you find a solution

The dye was fiebing's I did use tap water at work on this piece the belt I did a few weeks back I did at home I'll try a scrap piece there tonight. I have already formed a new piece and have the tooling done, I spoke with the customer and they said brown would be ok if I cant get the purple to work I have some turquoise I may try.

Thanks for your help

[Sylvia]

The dye was fiebing's I did use tap water at work on this piece the belt I did a few weeks back I did at home I'll try a scrap piece there tonight. I have already formed a new piece and have the tooling done, I spoke with the customer and they said brown would be ok if I cant get the purple to work I have some turquoise I may try.

Thanks for your help

I have heard some folks do that dampen first with water thing. I've never had much success with it myself. May I suggest you try dying a piece of the same scrap without with dampening with water or anything?

If I recall my Fiebings says to use a deglazer before dying. So you may want to get the appropriate deglazer and try a piece of scrap that way too.

Good luck.

[benlilly1]

Whiteeugene, It may be that you put 2-3 coats of dye on it.. The metallic look you're talking about is dye that's dried. The solvent that carried the dye has evaporated leaving it as a powder on the surface. Be careful buffing it because it can be reactivated if it comes into contact with dampness...You might try diluting the dye and try it on a scrap piece. Good luck.

[whiteeugene]

Whiteeugene, It may be that you put 2-3 coats of dye on it.. The metallic look you're talking about is dye that's dried. The solvent that carried the dye has evaporated leaving it as a powder on the surface. Be careful buffing it because it can be reactivated if it comes into contact with dampness...You might try diluting the dye and try it on a scrap piece. Good luck.

I tried several combinations today and got the same result 1 coat or 3 still gold with dry leather or damp leather maybe its went bad it's only a month old. I may just pick up another bottle. I did a belt with this bottle a few week back and it was fine the only difference was the type of leather and the water I used. I had a similar with black one time had to dye the item with cordova and then black not sure why but the black never seamed to dry. Read a post about black made a new item dyed it cordova first then black came out fine same hide. Maybe I'll switch brands.

Thanks for your help

Doug

[whiteeugene]

I went by Oregon Leather this morning and they tried some leather balm it took most of the gold off but left the leather a dark purple or black with purple high lights. Tried it on a new piece with the same results, at least it doesn't look bronze any more.

Thanks for all of your suggestions

Edited May 11, 2012 by whiteeugene

[whiteeugene]

I went by Oregon Leather this morning and they tried some leather balm it took most of the gold off but left the leather a dark purple or black with purple high lights. Tried it on a new piece with the same results, at least it doesn't look bronze any more.

Thanks for all of your suggestions

This is what it looked like after I buffed it with the leather balm, nice black. I made a new one it came out a little better still not what I wanted. looks like I will have to experiment some more.

Edited May 11, 2012 by whiteeugene

[Sylvia]

Interesting. Did Oregon Leather tell you whether or not they had seen this type of thing before? How much color came off when you buffed the the balm?

[whiteeugene]

Interesting. Did Oregon Leather tell you whether or not they had seen this type of thing before? How much color came off when you buffed the the balm?

They said they had seen before but not as bad, A lot of color came off when I buffed it even on the new piece.