What Applicators Do You Like To Use To Dye?

[Cyberthrasher]

Definitely airbrush. I'd follow Billy's mixture, but I'd probably add some brown to the outer edge, so it's more of a 3 tone burst. That's kind of what it looks like to me. I've seen people do it by dry brushing, and I've done it myself in the past, but the time it takes to make it look even is a real pain.

[LNLeather]

I have used many things for dying, depends on what I'm trying to do...

I have used a fine hand brush, fleece dauber, I've tried a 1 inch paint brush, and

sometimes I use a small piece of sponge held with a clothes pin for dying edges, and now I just keep some of each

around to use for different projects... It just depends on what you are doing...

Sometimes I use a foam brush and I got some at Amazon - pack of 48 for $10 .99

Foam Brush

( free shipping on orders over $25.00 )

Edited April 8, 2013 by LNLeather

[billymac814]

Definitely airbrush. I'd follow Billy's mixture, but I'd probably add some brown to the outer edge, so it's more of a 3 tone burst. That's kind of what it looks like to me. I've seen people do it by dry brushing, and I've done it myself in the past, but the time it takes to make it look even is a real pain.

I've tried 3 colors in the past but it didn't make any real difference unless the third color is black and even then its still slight. Even with 2 colors you get a 3 tone effect, you have the saddle tan in the center, then out from that you have the saddle tan with some mahogany over it and on the outside its just mahogany since it has no problems covering the tan and you can spray it heavy and get it really dark around the edge if you want.

[billymac814]

I have used many things for dying, depends on what I'm trying to do...

I have used a fine hand brush, fleece dauber, I've tried a 1 inch paint brush, and

sometimes I use a small piece of sponge held with a clothes pin for dying edges, and now I just keep some of each

around to use for different projects... It just depends on what you are doing...

Sometimes I use a foam brush and I got some at Amazon - pack of 48 for $10 .99

Foam Brush

( free shipping on orders over $25.00 )

You can get the same brushes at Jo Ann's for 5.00 for 25 of them, plus if you download the Jo Ann's app on your phone you can usually get 30-50% off one item each visit.

[Pennypower]

Thanks so much! I can't wait to get an airbrush.....someday ;-)

Well I've been playing around with dye and trying all kinds of things to get a graduated look. I'm starting to figure out what's working, at least for now. It seems that if I wet the leather, and wet the sponge or cloth, and used diluted oil dye, or even water based dye, then I have pretty good control of the colors. It's not flawless but it's getting better! I'm not sure yet if I like the sponge or the microfiber cloth better. I guess long term, sponges will be cheaper!

Also, I tried the felt for dyeing edges and OH MY GOODNESS it works!!! Finally I'm able to do edges without frustration so thank you BillyMac814 for suggesting that!!!

[electrathon]

I can't wait to get an airbrush.....someday ;-)

A basic one is pretty cheap. This one is $9

http://www.harborfreight.com/airbrush-kit-47791.html

[Pennypower]

OOOOOOoooooooo

[LNLeather]

You can get the same brushes at Jo Ann's for 5.00 for 25 of them, plus if you download the Jo Ann's app on your phone you can usually get 30-50% off one item each visit.

Thank You billymac814 - Thanks for that tip! Although I often order from Amazon, so coming up with $25 dollars worth of things to order isn't hard. I live on an island and there isn't any thing available here that remotely resembles any thing for leather-work - other than a sponge or a brush - and the prices are pretty high here - I am always looking for the best price... I also always check prices with Amazon, because there are quite a few things available there that might be less expensive because some are also eligible for the Free Shipping, or the shipping might be less than else where...

A basic one is pretty cheap. This one is $9

http://www.harborfre...-kit-47791.html

Now this is also Verrry interesting - Thank you electrathon - another grrreat tip!

* I also wanted to mention, you can clean most of those brushes and re-use them many times.

I have been using the same 3 foam brushes for a couple of weeks now. I also write on the wood handle

with a sharpie what it is for... dye, antique, or whatever... so I don't cross contaminate the Super Sheen

with dark tan antique...

Edited April 13, 2013 by LNLeather

[billymac814]

I reuse them until they just about fall apart. I will admit I don't bother cleaning them though. Sometimes ill clean out the one I use for resolene if I only use it real quick otherwise those ones get tossed.

When I'm done with a new one I dip the very end of the wood part in the dye that way I know what color it's for. That works for me but I don't generally use more than 3 different colors regularly. That may not work as well if you use a bunch of colors or colors that are very similar.