Why Did This Happen?

[shtoink]

I am pleased to see that others were able to chime in with more information than I was able to provide. One of the many things I really enjoy about this place. It just might take some time before the right eyes get to see it.

[JLSleather]

fter this mess, I dyed a couple of scraps to mess around with, and it seems to be the water that causes the discoloration. If I had to guess, the areas that are glued don't let the water penetrate the leather as readily, which might explain why those areas don't discolor as badly.

And now we're getting somewhere.

Edited August 24, 2014 by JLSleather

[Shooter McGavin]

Im not sure why the glue would make a difference, as it doesnt really seem to absorb into the leather.

Just for the sake of research, I built my last mahogany holster and completed all of the steps as normal until it was time to seal it up.

Cut, dip dye, dry, glue, stitch, wet form, burnish...

Then for the heck of it, I used a dauber and applied the mahogany Fiebings Pro Oil full strength to the holster.

Wait a day or so, buff, then seal.

No discoloration.

[Shooter McGavin]

ARe you guys dip dyeing with the Angelus also? I bought a few bottles to try out.

[Steven Kelley]

ARe you guys dip dyeing with the Angelus also? I bought a few bottles to try out.

Yes

[ec2121]

Im glad to see this post...this happened to me too. I used 50/50 saddle tan with denatured alcohol. I dyed first then moled. I figured that it just needed to dry out completely but it never got better. As you can see on the pic the blotches look really bad..

[ec2121]

Oops..here it is.

[oltoot]

My guess is that dye is not the culprit but that molding has produced a burnished look to the part that is molded. I would try some form of something that burnishes the area outside. I would use my glass slicker. as to observed differences in glue areas, most glues either seal up or open wide areas that end up taking a finish differently or not at all

[JLSleather]

and it seems to be the water that causes the discoloration. If I had to guess, the areas that are glued don't let the water penetrate the leather as readily, which might explain why those areas don't discolor as badly.

Actually, I was suggesting the other way around. While I agree that it's the water, I think the glued areas are retarding EVAPORATION more than penetration. Still some water in the holster when you (and I) dyed it. Not sure who decided I said it's the glue .... though it certainly was the glued areas.

[ec2121]

I agree that its the water too... I tried rubbing water around the affected areas after it was sealed thinking that it wound reduce the spots. It made it worst. Now its got me thinking that if water gets on a project after its sealed it'll ruin it permanently.