paracordman Report post Posted August 4, 2014 Does anyone know what I can use to keep the black dye from running of leather when it gets wet? I am making a pair of saddle bags, the leather is veg tanned, I have used Midnight black, Eco-Flo dye. I gave it 3 coats of dye, and then a coat of Neats foot oil, then I rubbed some beeswax on it and tried to melt it into the leather, when I dropped a little water on it I still keep getting black dye when I wipe it with a paper towel. Obviously I don't want it to run if the guy I am making it for has a brown saddle and to have blackish marks where the saddle bags go because it got wet. So does anyone know how I can keep the black dye from rubbing off? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
camano ridge Report post Posted August 4, 2014 Yes use a different dye. I use Eco FLo Proffesional black, I don't seem to have any problem with it. USMC black will take a bit of rubbing after it is applied to get rid of rub off. VInegroon is the way o go if you want to take that route and it won't run or rub off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted August 4, 2014 At this point, . . . your best bet is to grab a couple of towels your wife won't miss, . . . lay the project down and rub it like you are trying to rub the black off that pretty brown leather. It will take some elbow grease, . . . but it will be worth it when you are done. THEN, . . . find a large wash cloth (again something she won't miss), . . . wet this one, . . . have at it again. Don't quit until you no longer get any black coming off the bag. Then put a coat of 50/50 Resolene & water on the project, . . . and a second coat on anything that will touch the owner's saddle. Next time, . . . use something like Feibings professional black oil dye, . . . but stay away from USMC black, . . . and cut the dye 50/50 with Feibings thinner. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidL Report post Posted August 4, 2014 how do leather suppliers prevent dye from rubbing off? They have to dye at least a few hundred pieces a day. I can't imagine them rubbing each piece. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gump Report post Posted August 4, 2014 David; most professionals use Feibings pro oil dye. Properly applied, it will not run or rub off. It only requires a good buffing to remove excess pigment. As for the eco flo, you shouldn't need more than one heavy coat and then rub off any excess while still wet. I use eco flo pro and don't have any trouble with rub off. Gump Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paracordman Report post Posted August 4, 2014 Thanks for the help guys, Dwight just out of curiosity why should I stay away from USMC black? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted August 4, 2014 Thanks for the help guys, Dwight just out of curiosity why should I stay away from USMC black? USMC black is a great dye, . . . goes deeper than the pro oil or any of the H2O stuff I've used, . . . but it leaves a pigment trail that a blind man could follow at midnight in a coal mine. I used to use it, . . . got sick and tired (arms got tired too) of all the buffing to remove the extra pigment, . . . moved to pro oil, . . . haven't looked back. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paracordman Report post Posted August 4, 2014 Thank you! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
