I Need Help About Dye ! Please ! Wallet Making

[Leprechaunleather]

Im making a little card wallet for my girlfriend, and ive oiled it with extra virgin olive oil , and have applied the dye , i used ox blood which is really nice but its very difficult to get a nice even coat .

if you guys have any tips on dying to get an even coat speak your mind please

BUT ! my main problem after an hour drying i started buffing with some white paper towel and it just keeps coming off , ! there doesnt seem to be any end to it coming off. Am i doing something wrong or do i just have to keep buffing ?

Did i leave it long enough to dry ?

and what is a good finish to put on a wallet ?

[Eccho]

I don't believe you should have put olive oil, or any kind of oil on first. The dye cannot penetrate the leather. There may be others, with more input. I don't think it can be salvaged but I am not sure. Good luck.

[Leprechaunleather]

i thought a lot of people here oil first then dye ....

[Chief31794]

I dye first, I've heard of others who oil first. The only way I would consider it is if I were using spirit dyes, never with water based dyes, I don't have any scientific data to support it but I don't see how water based stains or dyes like Fiebings Antiques would be able to penetrate the oil. I've never had a problem oiling after. To get dye as even as possible I usually wet the leather lightly with whatever base I'm using, Denatured Alcohol for spirit dyes and Distilled Water for Water Based Stains. Just my opinion, I could be wrong, that's happened before.

Chief

[Leprechaunleather]

the fiebings dye i used was spirit based , i am really confused as what i should be doing and as of how to stob the dye from coming off

[Eccho]

Here is a quote from a leather care specialist.

Although leather does indeed become a little suppler after applying olive oil, this instant gratification comes with a price. Olive oil, and every oily substance for that matter, will not "nourish" your leather, but actually accelerate its deterioration. Leather is extremely permeable, and will soak up any oils you put on it. When oil first saturates leather, it seeps to the back-to the part you can't see. Eventually, the oil ends up spreading throughout the leather and naturally resurfaces. Once this happens, your leather will have unsightly oil spots.

I suggest using this as a learning experience. Make a new piece, dye it, then use leather honey, or Ausie to soften it. Then your finish. IMHO

[Palermo]

The rubbing off is normal to most dyes.. I usually do what I call a mid coat then a top coat... A good way to get most of the rubbing off out is to buff it with tissue paper like the ones that are in gift bags. It absorbs a lot of the dry dye.

You should also try using carnuba cream but this will affect the over all color.. I usually make tests of dye strength + carnuba cream to achieve final color. It will take a few test strips and patience

[JoeSnuffie]

These are my steps

1. Dye with a piece of sponge that puts on a lot of dye and moves it all around for a nice and even coat.

2. Buff until barely any color comes off. I use 4"x4" pieces of old tshirts to buff.

3. If I used spirit dye and I don't mind the leather sometimes darkening I use Neetsfoot oil

4. When it soaks in and 'dries' on the surface, I buff again

5. Apply Kiwi Leather Lotion, let it soak in, dry, then buff.

I have gotten some unique effects by mixing dye with olive oil. You can get very controlled streaking, swirls, etc.

[minimal Oz]

I think most people do not oil before they dye the leather. what Eccho says really make sense.

don't be discouraged, we learn from mistakes and every expert comes from this way. try it again, I am sure do can achieve much better next time, and people will love your work.

[Leprechaunleather]

thanks for all your help guys !