Quick Airbrush Question

[ReneeCanady]

I have just recently started playing with my airbrush and I think it turned out pretty well, but I keep asking myself how much more likey is the paint or dye to scratch right off? I know that when I apply with daubers or other ways that it is seeping into the leather a bit. With the airbrush, it gets a more even coat, but seems to be on the surface. I am sure it seeps in a bit. I would hate to give someone something and my work be ruined in a few weeks. I am just being a chicken little I suppose.

[TwinOaks]

You are 100% correct that the airbrush method doesn't get as much dye INTO the leather. In my e perience this has not been an issue, but if you have a hard use item that you know will see a lot of abuse/wear, you minght consider dip dyeing it instead.

[JustKate]

Airbrushed dyes can stand up to mild abrasion. They do bond with the leather fibers, even if they don't penetrate as deeply, so it would take something to actually scratch or scrape into the leather grain itself to have much effect on the color, especially if you give it a durable sealing finish. I spray them on in multiple passes, and go pretty heavy on the final pass. Customers have sent photos of game boards I made them 10 years ago and the colors, though often faded slightly, have not scratched or rubbed off from being played on.

[JLSleather]

This question comes back around every so often, has for years. Mostly, someone heard from someone who heard from someone who heard ...

Here's two things ....

An 1/8 oz of dye applied with an airbrush is the same amount as 1/8 oz of dye applied with a sable brush.

If you really believe (at all) those who say airbrush - applied dye will 'come off', then get a piece of scrap and try it. This is a two-step process: 1.) Spray some dye on a piece of leather 2.) Take it off (if you can).

[Cyberthrasher]

There has been some proof posted here that airbrushed dye does not penetrate as deeply as dye applied with a brush or dauber. But, there is a way to help it along. I got this method from Spinner and it has worked well for me.

apply a light coat of oil to your leather and let it sit for a few minutes.

Spray on a 50/50 mix of your dye. If you're final color is 50/50, start with 25/75.

now go back over with your final mix.

The oil helps to pull in the pigments, and the lighter pass to start with furthers that process. Depending on how lazy I'm feeling or the complexity of the work, I'll sometimes skip the initial 50/50 pass and I still don't have any problems whatsoever.

[Dwight]

Several folks on here do holsters with a two tone effect, . . . or even three tone.

If I were doing that, . . . the base color, . . . the main color, . . . I would dip dye it, . . . then use the other for accents. As a matter of fact, . . . I have a project to do later this year, . . . and that is the process I plan on using on it. It will be a light saddle brown with black highlights.

May God bless,

Dwight

[tedmont]

I love my airbrush. It is an inexpensive model made in China. I have done hundreds of applications with it. You can get even coloring using it. You can move from a light shade to a dark shade in one application. (see pic). It works well with strong colors, ie. brown. It leaves a very weak color when used with greens, reds. blues, etc. It will not replicate the the colors achieved by dipping your project into dye or brushing on the dye. The airbrush will always deliver something weaker. Then again, you cannot attain the weaker effects by brushing on the dyes. If you don't have one, I recommend it. It is fun. It adds another dimension to your work. (be sure to wear a mask if you do. The colors are made with heavy metals and can make you very ill. ) They are inexpensive. I got a compressor and 3 airbrushes for $130.

[ReneeCanady]

Thank you all for your responses! I read so much about it, but wasn't sure who really had it down to a fine art lol. Spinner is awesome and helped me out so much when I first started and was ALWAYS correct with any advice he gave. You all gave GREAT adive/tips, thank you, I really appreciate it!

Jlsleather LOL "if you can"

Here is a pic of my air brush attempt. I used it for the full background of the white mask and the 3 colors in the hair. Don't mind the distorted photo. I seem to distort things a lot using photobucket.

[benlilly1]

Very nice job Renee! So was this a white piece of leather that you started with or did you spray acrylics?

[ReneeCanady]

Thanks benlilly! I thinned out and did multipule coats of acrylic leather dye. I was actually shocked that the white came out so WHITE lol. I just have a cheep airbrush from harbor freight that I can't seem to find extra paint containers to actually FIT the thing, but the ones they carry work, it's just a fight because they don't really go to that machine. I don't care what they tell me at the store, they are not the right ones lol.