Members barbiesdude Posted March 4, 2013 Members Report Posted March 4, 2013 I have a tack order for a headstall, slobber straps, and breast collar. The issue is the customer wants black. I know that given time I will re-coup my money if I buy a side of black leather, but it may take awhile before I get enough orders for black projects. If I bought a side of regular veg tanned, Is it difficult to get a nice finish by dyeing black? I have other orders I could make out of a veg tanned side. Quote
Tree Reaper Posted March 4, 2013 Report Posted March 4, 2013 I would buy black and sell what you don't use if you don't want to keep the extra. Quote
Members Dwight Posted March 4, 2013 Members Report Posted March 4, 2013 Most of us dye our leather all the time. I "only" dye by immersion, . . . using a 9 x 14 cake pan, . . . and I just run the leather end to end through it like a snake, . . . it probably spends something like 5 seconds actually in the dye. On long skinny projects, . . . like yours, . . . lay down newspaper on a large flat surface, . . . lay the pieces on the edge for the first 1/2 hour of drying. I know this sounds goofy, . . . but I've had the dye "run" on belts and other pieces that were long and skinny, . . . winds up light colored on one end, . . . heavy color on the bottom end. I wear disposable rubber gloves, . . . and use only Feibings Oil Dye. USMC black gives you a super color, . . . but buffing off the extra pigment is a long time job, . . . and to me just isn't worth the extra effort. Also, . . . and I know there is a difference of opinion on this, . . . but I personally don't like working with factory dyed leather. I cannot seem to get it to mold, fold, groove, or stamp like undyed veg tan. The other factor to put into the equation is the cost of the dye. A quart of the dye I use is in the 30 buck range, . . . an upfront cost that you could apply toward the side of black leather. I've never dyed a full side at one time, . . . but I'd think it would take at least one quart, . . . maybe two, . . . and you need to figure that into your thinking. Good luck. May God bless, Dwight Quote If you can breathe, . . . thank God. If you can read, . . . thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a veteran. www.dwightsgunleather.com
Moderator immiketoo Posted March 4, 2013 Moderator Report Posted March 4, 2013 I just bought a drum dyed black hide. It's easier to work with if you are making things of a single color and don't need to add any other colors. Quote Learnleather.com
Members billymac814 Posted March 4, 2013 Members Report Posted March 4, 2013 Either would be fine. I've decided to switch to drum dyed for black because it'll save me a little time and I go through it fast enough. Nothing wrong with dying it though if you won't use it. Get the Fiebings pro oil dye unless you like buffing leather for a long time. Quote www.mccabescustomleather.com
Members Cyberthrasher Posted March 4, 2013 Members Report Posted March 4, 2013 I can't predict the colors that I use, and rarely do I get a request for "pure" black. So, for me, it's dye all the way. But, if I ever get to a point where a lot of people want straight black stuff, then I'd look into a pre-dyed side. Quote hellhoundkustoms.wordpress.com www.facebook.com/hellhoundkustoms www.etsy.com/shop/HellhoundKustoms
Members WoodBoneAndStone Posted March 4, 2013 Members Report Posted March 4, 2013 I have yet to buy black leather. I would definitely dye my own for smaller and medium size projects. For something like saddle bags or a garment type project I would consider factory dyed. Quote http://www.etsy.com/shop/WoodBoneAndStone http://www.Facebook.com/WoodBoneAndStone
Members barbiesdude Posted March 4, 2013 Author Members Report Posted March 4, 2013 Thanks for the good advice all, looks like dyeing is the best option at this stage of the game. Quote
Members benlilly1 Posted March 5, 2013 Members Report Posted March 5, 2013 I love buying my leather already drum dyed black...if I need to touch it up, it's a breeze. Quote
dirtclod Posted March 5, 2013 Report Posted March 5, 2013 When i was doing a lot tack the only time i ever sold anything that was black that includes saddles, saddle bags, headstalls and reins was to a person that had just bought their first horse. I wouldn't trade for a black saddle if i could keep from it because they were so hard to sell. I would say dye what you need and you have the rest of the side for regular orders. Quote I'm old enough to know that i don't know everything.
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