Dyed Background Floral Belt

[Double U Leather]

Here's another order ready to go. I really, really like how this turned out. It's background is dyed black, with wide dyed edges. This is the second project with the RTC resist. I'm liking the RTC. And, this is the first time with Angelus dye. It's way lots better than the old Fiebings. No smear, no streak. Anyway, take a look and let me know what ya'll think. Stay blessed gang.

[rosiart]

Here's another order ready to go. I really, really like how this turned out. It's background is dyed black, with wide dyed edges. This is the second project with the RTC resist. I'm liking the RTC. And, this is the first time with Angelus dye. It's way lots better than the old Fiebings. No smear, no streak. Anyway, take a look and let me know what ya'll think. Stay blessed gang.

Very nice. At the risk of sounding really dumb, what does RTC stand for?

[JLSleather]

Yeah, I don't know RTC, either .. but tha's a nice lookin' belt

[Double U Leather]

I don't really know what RTC stands for. It's a product by Bee Natural and came highly recommended by various folks. I was having a lot of trouble with the Fiebings dye and Clear Lac smearing. There wasn't an ounce of smear using Angelus dye and RTC. I promise you, I was as nervous as a barefooted boy in a red ant pile when I started putting the RTC on. I could just see the "smear gremlins" ruing the whole thing. Thank God, literally, it worked out.

[terrymac]

w

I don't really know what RTC stands for. It's a product by Bee Natural and came highly recommended by various folks. I was having a lot of trouble with the Fiebings dye and Clear Lac smearing. There wasn't an ounce of smear using Angelus dye and RTC. I promise you, I was as nervous as a barefooted boy in a red ant pile when I started putting the RTC on. I could just see the "smear gremlins" ruing the whole thing. Thank God, literally, it worked out.

Waybe,

Have you tried the saddle oil from Bee's? It really adds a Golden hue to the leather and doesn't darken as neatsfoot or funny colors with EVo. Are you still using the Fiebing's antique. I have never had a problem with the dye and neatlac smearing, but I have always let the dye dry for at least a day and then buffed before applying the resist. It looks like the RTC works as well as netlac, never thought I would be saying that. Seems like I read where Barry King was recommending the RTC. Never too old to learn. By the way, belt looks great.

Terry

[Dallas Cowboy]

Very nice work. LOve that!! I do have a couple of questions for you if you don't mind.

Do you cut your own blanks or do you order them from some other company?

How much would your normally charge for a belt like this.

Very nice craftsmanship!!!!

[Double U Leather]

Terry....I've never tried the Bee Natural oil. As happy as I am with the RTC, I sure might think about it. Barry is the one who recommended the RTC to me. I called him in a twist one day after the Fiebings smeared on me. He suggested the Angelus dye and the Bee Natural RTC. And along the way, it seems I tried every combination in the world...neatsfoot, then dye...dye first, then neatsfoot...same methods with EVO...let it dry for days...let it dry for minutes....same results. I never had any trouble back in the day when they made Neat Lac in an aerosol. When I had to start using Clear Lac and wiping it on with sheepskin, then the train wreck began. As for the antique, I'm using Eco-Flow gel. It seems to work okay for me. Goes on smoother and less blotchy for me. Anyway, thanks for the nice words, and the hint about the Bee Natural oil.

Dallas...I cut my own. The first thing I do when I get a side is square off an edge (neck end to other end), and then cut about 3 or 4 strips the length of the hide 1 1/2" wide. It seems I sell quite a few belts, and I always like to have plenty of belt making material on hand. My base price for the floral belts starts at $225. This one, being dyed, cost the fella a tad more...LOL.

[Dallas Cowboy]

Thats a great price for a belt with that much craftsmanship. Props to you and your skills man. So I'm guessing you are ordering veg-tanned 8-9 oz sides?

Edited May 12, 2012 by Dallas Cowboy

[Double U Leather]

Dallas....yes sir. I order 8-9 oz. Herman Oak sides from Springfield leather. And, I line each belt with a 2-3 oz. Royal Oak leather. As I said earlier, the base price for my belts is $225. This order is selling for a good bit more than that.

[Dallas Cowboy]

Why do you prefer to line all your belts? SOrry for the questions but your work is amazing and i am VERY new to all of this. DC

[Double U Leather]

DC...thanks for the kind words. I line belts (and just about everything else) because it just makes the finished product look a bit more professionally done in my opinion. No fuzzy backside stuff, etc....

[terrymac]

Wayne,

What kind of dye were you using that was smearing with the Neatlac? This has got me curious.

Terry

[Jimbob]

super nice.....cool !!!

[Double U Leather]

Thanks Jimbob. I appreciate the compliment.

Terry....I've had Fiebings oil base dye smear, as well as Fiebings mineral dye smear. I've dyed things let them literally dry for a couple of DAYS and when I wipe on the the Clear Lac, the smearing begins. And, I've buffed the dry dye, oiled first then dyed, dyed first then oiled.....you name it. But with the Angelus dye and RTC, not a hint of smudge or smear.

[Dallas Cowboy]

Do you think you could use Fiebings and the RTC and have the same results? Do you think it was the Angelus or the RTC that was the cure?

[Double U Leather]

Do you think you could use Fiebings and the RTC and have the same results? Do you think it was the Angelus or the RTC that was the cure?

DC....I don't know if Angelus or the RTC that cured the problem, but I'm not going to mess with it. I finally found a combination that works. If it ain't broke, I ain't gonna fix it. Both the RTC and Angelus were suggestions from Barry King. I figure he's much more of a guru than I am, so I'll just listen...LOL.

[Dallas Cowboy]

Wayne-Are you sill using this method for your finishings? How about on belts and projects that you don't have a dyed background? How do you finish those?

[jmkjmk2]

Not familiar with the names you are using for your resist and dyes. I'm just getting more into that part of leather work. Can you help me out with what these are and where I can get them? Thanks.

Here's another order ready to go. I really, really like how this turned out. It's background is dyed black, with wide dyed edges. This is the second project with the RTC resist. I'm liking the RTC. And, this is the first time with Angelus dye. It's way lots better than the old Fiebings. No smear, no streak. Anyway, take a look and let me know what ya'll think. Stay blessed gang.

[cuzi]

Great belt what a skill you have. Just a question, is the background and edge of the belt dyed (painted) black and then the resist is applied to the whole belt before the antique is applied. Again awesome work.

Regards

Clinton Inglis