BSA Report post Posted May 5, 2013 Thankfully this was for an understanding friend. First time using color. I was very happy until about a month later my friend showed me how the black rubbed into the face and the yellow around the face. Very disappointing after all that work. My first mistake was using eco flo water based color dye and then using supersheene to seal it. I didn't know about this forum when I started and didn't and still don't really know what the best sealer would be to finish color pieces. I switched to using Belvoir leather balsam but would appreciate any other suggestions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cogs Report post Posted May 6, 2013 That's cool! Nice work! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David8386 Report post Posted May 6, 2013 Good looking work. Detail looks nice. Welcome to the forum. David Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vhakra Report post Posted May 7, 2013 Very nice looking! If you had to remake it what would you do differently? I'm wondering as I haven't used dyes yet and want to learn more about it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BSA Report post Posted May 9, 2013 Thanks guys! I would just use oil/spirit dye so the colors don't fade or smear. The black was an all in one dye and it rubbed into all the colors. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Austin Longhorn Report post Posted May 9, 2013 So what do you suggest to seal it? I'm new to leatherwork and this site. I just completed a guitar strap that has parts of it painted with Tandy water-based paints. Will Super-Shene dissolve the colors or make them bleed together?? I just finished it tonight and would like to know ASAP. BTW, the wallet you mad looks great, as does the artwork and coloring. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LNLeather Report post Posted May 9, 2013 (edited) You will probably find that others have their own way of doing things and with time and experience you will get to work out your own routine for how to do whatchu wanna do.... Sometimes there is no right and wrong, but just what ever works for you... Before I use any sealer or finish, I always wait for the item to dry completely. Overnight or up to at least 24 hours. I suppose it might depend on things like leather thickness and how damp your piece is or maybe even things like Humidity, Temperature, or Weather. so it might be different depending on those things... Sometimes I use Super Shene or Satin Shene, or Tan Coat or.... It also depends on how you put it on. When I started out I used a brush and spread it on and I did not like how it looked. Too shiny and looked like plastic... I still use a brush sometimes - so I can get it into all of the nooks and crannies - but mostly I use a small rag (I cut up old used cotton towels - 3in x 3 in) to spread it around or dab on a light coat. Then when that is dry I can put on another coat if I want. I put it on lightly and spread it thin - in a circular motion, watching to see when it evens out and no longer has streaks. In the beginning it might bleed slightly, but if you dab your finish on slowly, you'll get an idea of whether the dye is going to bleed or not... and limit the bleed by dabbing instead of spreading... That plus making sure your leather is dry should help with the problem I hope this helps ps don't forget to use the Leatherworker.net search engine up there in the right hand corner of the pages. Anything you might want to know has probably already been asked and you can search for any topic discussed here and you'll get to read lots of others questions and answers and ideas on the topic of your choice... I hope this helps too Oh and btw - Welcome to Leatherworker.net and Nice work. Sounds like you are hooked too! * And also - scroll down below this and at the bottom of the page you will see some links to old posts that might be similar to what the topic is Edited May 9, 2013 by LNLeather Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
