Color Fast Dye

[Davm]

Hi, I'm new here but I've been a leatherworker for many years. If I am making an item that wouldn't be subjected to really bad weather I use the standard dyes and super shene type sealers, etc and that's that. If I make something, say an axe cover, for a canoe trip, then I treat veg-tan (carving) type leather with a Neatsfoot oil and wax mixture and that produces a russet color and works okay. If I try dyed leather the dye always leeches out and stains clothing etc.

I know there are some rather complicated ways to dye leather and get a fast color BUT....they might be beyond my abilities. What are some of the easier ways (if there are any) to dye veg-tan (carving) leather a brown color and not have that run run if the leather is continually wet from being outdoors?

Thanks.

[PutnamLeather]

The only thing I have tried so far has been to dye it as usuall, and after the last coat of resoleen is dry put a few coats of weatherproofing on it. It seams to work for now but hasn't been through the time test yet.

[Matt S]

You could try a reactive dye. These are aqueous solutions of acidic metal salts which are colourless at first but react with the tannins in veg tan to create insoluble (water fast) colours. Potassium carbonate (salts of tartar) will produce a good brown but make sure to observe all relevant safety precautions when handling. Be warned also that it can shorten the service life of your leather without due care.

[billymac814]

Use Feibings Pro oil dye and finish with 50/50 resolene and water. It won't bleed like other dyes do. You also need to buff it off after dying but with the pro oil dye it barely needs buffing unlike the other dyes where you gotta buff and buff and buff to get excess pigment off