How To Brighten Up A Dyed Finish?

[NorrinRadd]

Hi everyone! I hope someone can shed some light on an issue I've found:)

basically , Is there any way to make dye ( I use fieblings spirit) stand out more? For example, I've got red, and purple dyes, but once applies they are both quite dark, Is there anything you use on leather like a primer? To get a brighter finish? I ask because I've been asked to make a plaque, and it will need some very light, bright green, and before I go and buy some green I'd like to know if there is anything else I'll need.

I've tried looking around but keep hitting a brick wall, Thanks for reading!

[barehandcustoms]

Water down your oil dyes with rubbing alcohol to thin them out. If it is a small item then your best bet is to actually dip dye it. Just dip the piece into a bowl of the thinned out dye until you get the desired darkness. Wipe off any excess and let it dry. It will lighten up big time as it dries out and leave a nice even coat.

Try it on some scrap until you get the right mix. Luckily 90% of my items are red, brown or black.....

When I do light unique colors like greens and purples I always end up dip dying them. I pour a whole big bottle of rubbing alcohol into a mixing bowl and pour my dye in until I have the right color.

Every time I try using wool daubers to apply those light colors they end up over lapping and looking like crap.

Edited July 23, 2014 by barehandcustoms

[tatsumi]

Acrylic's might be a better choice if the project allows. got to remember to take into account the colour of the leather so say if you paint a white wall red, two coats should see it right but if you paint a biscuit brown wall red your going to get a dirty red unless you use the right paint. with leather the more you apply if its pro oil or spirit it will get darker unlike with acrylics which will build up until the desired colour is achieved. "colouring Leather" by Al Stohlman is a good read for this type of thing.

[NorrinRadd]

Thank you very much for the replys here, very helpfull!