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Posted (edited)

I've been meaning to dye this jacket for a while now. It will be used in all sorts of weather so would prefer it not to run.. I'm sure I wrote about it on this thread years ago but it seems to have gone missing.

So I have a bottle of ethylacetate to clean the leather..

And a bottle of fiebings oil leather dye..

It's a belstaff motorcycling jacket. I'm just wondering if just dyeing it with Fiebings will be enough or will I have to put some sort of layer on, I don't want a shiny finish.

I've used spray dyes before but these have been on acryllic and always put a layer on rather than dyeing the actual material (for example VHT satin black vinyle dye spray paint) so I don't think they are suitable.

I have no idea about leathers, so given what I've said can anyone advise me on how to proceed or how to test what leather I'm dealing with?

Lastly I want to try going dark chestnut brown first and if I don't like it then all black, would I be able to redye with the fiebings if I went dark brown first?

It's actually the same jacket as the one Brad pitt is wearing and the look I'd want to go for, is there a way I could try getting it to that faded antique look like he has (before I go all black if I decide so).

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Edited by koolio
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Posted

Should I just take it to a professional?

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Posted

Bump anyone?

  • 2 weeks later...
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Posted

Really no one any idea?

Posted

I was going to say spray dye, but you have already tried that before. There is a leather garment shop near here, and they use the spray dyes to rejuvenate worn jackets. The dye they used didn't seem to leave a build up layer, nor become really shiny.

I have a can of stuff called "Tana Leather Magic Renew Dye". I bought it several years ago, I think from the same shop as above. Haven't used it. It has all kinds of solvents in it. Acetone, toluene, propylene glycol methyl ether acetate, 2-butanone, diacetone alcohol, xylene and of course propane and butane as a propellant.

Note that acrylics will not behave the same as leather. Acrylics don't really absorb the dye. Leather is absorbent as long as you have removed any surface treatment containing waxes, etc.

Open up the lining seam at the bottom of the back so you can experiment with a bit of leather that will be hidden if it doesn't work right. Then try your selection of dyes and see what happens. Then the one that works, use that to treat the whole jacket.

Be careful with these dangerous and flammable chemicals. Work safe.

Tom

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Posted (edited)

I think I may take it to a professional. I am not even a beginner, only done a motorcycle seat and that was flat black.

The acrylic dye did not actually change the colour underneath, it just layered a black layer over the top. i.e. I can strip the black back to the brown it was originally.

I actually wanted to have the jacket properly dyed not just a coat over the original which is what I think sprays do.

Edited by koolio
Posted

The stuff I have is not acrylic dye. Acrylics are water based, thinned with water. Not the extremely harsh solvents like in this stuff. But I agree with getting a pro to do the job.

Tom

Posted

First off, there is a large risk of you not being happy with the outcome, so only do this if you are ready for that.

I would scrub it as clean as you van with solvent, leg it dry. Use the dye by applying it with a piece of trimmer sheepskin. Wipe in a circular manor. Keep moving fast. For a finish, use something like Dr Jackson's or some other shoe waterproofing.

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Posted

First off, there is a large risk of you not being happy with the outcome, so only do this if you are ready for that.

I would scrub it as clean as you van with solvent, leg it dry. Use the dye by applying it with a piece of trimmer sheepskin. Wipe in a circular manor. Keep moving fast. For a finish, use something like Dr Jackson's or some other shoe waterproofing.

Do you reckon a professional will be able to do it? If so I will definitely take it to one...

Posted

Do you reckon a professional will be able to do it? If so I will definitely take it to one...

Possibly. You just have to find someone who does it a lot.

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