I Don't Know Why This Is Happening

[CanadianGirl]

Ok so for the past three or so projects (dog collars, now this belt) the dye is not taking very well in a few spots. This example is dip dyed, I beveled the edges, sanded then slicked them with fiebings saddle soap and water. Before dyeing I clean the leather, I have tried with just water and this belt I cleaned it with alcohol (50%). I have always done it the same way and I have not had this problem. Any ideas/suggestions? Thank you so much.

[CanadianGirl]

[CanadianGirl]

I should state I used fiebings oil dye.

[RiverCity]

Dye it before you do the edge work. Its the soap etc that is keeping the dye from absorbing good. Dying it before hand will fix your issue. Especially if you are dip dyeing.

Chuck

[Dwight]

RiverCity gave you the best answer, . . .

But you can burnish your edges first, . . . if you only use water. No soap, . . no wax, . . . just water and a burnisher. I usually do that, . . . especially with belts, . . . as they will then "re-burnish" really nicely after they dye dries.

What actually happens is that the soap or wax used in the burnishing or slicking process will clog the pores and not allow the dye to penetrate. If you only use water, . . . it will penetrate well.

Two cautions: don't dye until well after the edges have dried, . . . DRY, . . . and don't re-burnish until the dye has dried, . . . DRY

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited December 27, 2013 by Dwight

[CanadianGirl]

Thank you very much! Is there anything you would suggest to save this belt? Don't get me wrong I kinda like the look, looks a little aged. But I know the person I am making this belt for won't like it.

[Chief31794]

You could try re-sanding the edges thoroughly, then burnishing them again with just water, redye, then burnish normally after the belt is completely dry. Might work.

Chief

[Dwight]

I would start with a sanding block, . . . and sand both edges, . . . until they all looked the same from end to end.

I would then re-dye the edges, . . . VERY CAREFULLY, . . . with a folded up piece of a paper towel being held in the jaws of a clothes pin.

I might even be tempted to dye the edges black, . . . it would depend on how uniformly straight the sanding job turned out. The sanding will remove the soap/wax etc from the original burnishing attempt.

May God bless,

Dwight

[CanadianGirl]

But some of the non dyed parts are on the front of the belt as well... I was going use black edge coat on the sides so not too worried about the dye there.