Spotty Leather

[BulletProof]

I had an Oak Leaf side sent to me from Tandy. When it arrived, I should have just sent it back... the texture was "hard" and the colour of the back was wrong... rough and brittle.

But I needed the hide right away, had a couple orders to fill... so I cut it up.

Then when I went to dye it, the dye took inconsistently... spotty and blotchy.

So my question is at this stage:

Is there something I can do to improve the leather's ability to take the dye? A bleach wash? Any ideas?

I can't return it now that it has been cut, and I am out $150. + shipping.

Thanks again in advance for your help!

Ron.

[Tree Reaper]

How did you apply the dye?

It's best to use something like sheep wool, if you pour it on then spread it, it will blotch.

What kind if dye?

Edited February 15, 2013 by Tree Reaper

[Dwight]

Part of the reason I dip dye is to make sure I don't get blotchy spots.

BUT, . . . having said that, . . . I have found in some cases, . . . not all by any means, . . . but in some cases, . . . applying the Resolene finish that I use will take care of the problem.

I cannot answer why, . . . just know that it happens sometimes.

May God bless,

Dwight

[BulletProof]

Perhaps I have been unclear. I know how to stain the leather and get good consistent results.

It is just that these particular pieces are being a problem, so I was wondering if there was perhaps a solution to pretreating the leather to give it a more consistent finish.

[Northmount]

I have noticed that during casing, if the color is inconsistent, it will be when finished too. So I often treat Tandy leather with oxalic acid to even out the colour. I decided recently to do it early, as part of the casing process.

It doesn't fix all the evils, but certainly helps.

Tom

[BulletProof]

Thanks Tom, I will give that a try.