Members jeremyqmartin Posted May 4, 2013 Members Report Posted May 4, 2013 Hello, I'm a noob who wants to make a satchel. I got a quarter shoulder hide and some soft pigskin for lining. I still need the basic tools. I have some black Feibings dye that I used on some suspender button attachments for pants. I also got some coffee color Eco Flo from Tandy. What's the main difference in these brands? Quote
Members glockanator Posted May 4, 2013 Members Report Posted May 4, 2013 I have only used eco floonce and then threw it away. I use only fiebings dye. Some have trouble with the USMC black wanting to rub off onto clothing but I have found that if you dye then buff the hell out of it and then seal you won't have any problems. Quote
Members jeremyqmartin Posted May 4, 2013 Author Members Report Posted May 4, 2013 Thanks, I think I read Fiebings is alcohol and Eco-flo is water based? I tried them both on a test piece of the thick shoulder an the Fiebings soaked right in but the Eco just kinda smeared around, I wasn't sure it absorbed until I wiped it off. Quote
electrathon Posted May 4, 2013 Report Posted May 4, 2013 Thanks, I think I read Fiebings is alcohol and Eco-flo is water based? I tried them both on a test piece of the thick shoulder an the Fiebings soaked right in but the Eco just kinda smeared around, I wasn't sure it absorbed until I wiped it off. I think you nailed the differance. Fiebings soaks in and EcoFlo sits on the surface. The differance will really show in a year when it starts to wear. Aaron Quote
Members Studio-N Posted May 4, 2013 Members Report Posted May 4, 2013 Fiebings = works. Eco-Foo-Foo = crap. nuf said. Quote "Out of my mind.....back in 5 minutes"
Members jeremyqmartin Posted May 5, 2013 Author Members Report Posted May 5, 2013 Thanks again. Another thing is I applied Eco-Flo Satin Sheen sealer to both dyed sections of the test piece. After it dried, the part with the Fiebings would crack like crazy if I bent it. The actual leather would crack. The section with the Eco dye seemed ok, still flexible Quote
NVLeatherWorx Posted May 8, 2013 Report Posted May 8, 2013 Never heard of the Eco-Flo acrylic causing that issue with cracking but if you use Fiebing's, and I highly recommend that you do, then you need to use the Acrylic Resolene that they make as the finish. It is a much better product and does not create any issues. Might I also highly suggest that prior to any dyeing/staining, etc. that you first replenish the lost oils from the casing and stamping/tooling processes by applying a good coating of Neetsfoot Oil and letting it penetrate (dry) overnight. Does wonders to the leather. Quote Richard Hardie R. P. Hardie Leather Co. R. P. Hardie Leather Co. - OnlineR. P. Hardie Leather Co on Facebook
Members Matt S Posted May 9, 2013 Members Report Posted May 9, 2013 Being alcohol-based you need to oil your leather after Fiebings dries; the alcohol destroys much of the grease added by the tanner, which stops cracking. Quote
Members ReneeCanady Posted May 9, 2013 Members Report Posted May 9, 2013 My two cents.....I have only been leather working about a year and Tandy pretty much talked me into the Eco Flo. I have used it since. However, I have noticed things like cell phone cases and certain belts I have made are now fading really fast. I don't care what anyone says about antique gel LOL I actually use the med brown gel as my dye and it holds up nicely and is the BEST shade of brown to my liking. I have been curious to try the fiebings for a while now so I tried it the other day. I was very impressed at how it actually soaked INTO the leather which is not something I was used to seeing. I think that once I figure out the process of making the mixute of dye vs alcohol to make it to color I want, I will be in love with the fiebings as well as the gel. Quote www.facebook.com/alteredleather
Members Cyberthrasher Posted May 9, 2013 Members Report Posted May 9, 2013 I think that once I figure out the process of making the mixute of dye vs alcohol to make it to color I want, I will be in love with the fiebings as well as the gel. Just holler Quote hellhoundkustoms.wordpress.com www.facebook.com/hellhoundkustoms www.etsy.com/shop/HellhoundKustoms
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.