Members rknight2 Posted September 24, 2014 Members Report Posted September 24, 2014 Hello everyone, I know this is a basic question,but I am very new to the craft. Do you ever dye both sides of the leather, if so when? Also I keep getting a little dye on the back side of my leather sometimes. Is their a best way to dye and keep this from happening? Thanks for any help. Quote
Members DavidL Posted September 24, 2014 Members Report Posted September 24, 2014 Its personal preference whether you dye one side or both sides. Both ways work. I like the look of both sides dyed, that way dye getting on the back of the leather isn't an issue. Reducing the dye with isopropyl alcohol, using less dye or using thicker leather will help with dye from getting through to the back. When the leather isn't dyed gum trag or burnishing gum alternative can be added to the flesh side (back side). The front of the leather could be burnished with boxwood to get a darker colour. Quote
Members rknight2 Posted September 24, 2014 Author Members Report Posted September 24, 2014 Thanks for the help David. It is great that all you guys and ladies like to help newbies like me. Quote
Members billybopp Posted September 24, 2014 Members Report Posted September 24, 2014 I sometimes dye the back, and sometimes not. If you do not want dye on the back, you can put masking tape on the back to help protect it, or frisket film for larger pieces. The adhesive from the tape/frisket can sometimes pull up the grain to leave the back a little "hairier", but that can usually be resolved with some gum trag or tan kote and a glass slicker for larger pieces or just a regular wood slicker for smaller ones. Hope that helps Bill Quote
Members rknight2 Posted September 24, 2014 Author Members Report Posted September 24, 2014 That helps a lot. Thank you Bill. Quote
Members whipstitchwallets Posted September 24, 2014 Members Report Posted September 24, 2014 Hey, a lot of craftsmen on here and I dip-dye. That's something to consider. Basically, I dip the piece after it is cut out in a container of dye, let it drip, wipe the excess off the grain side with a sponge and let it set over-night. Quote
Members rknight2 Posted September 24, 2014 Author Members Report Posted September 24, 2014 I will try that. Thanks for the info. Quote
Members Dwight Posted September 25, 2014 Members Report Posted September 25, 2014 Hey, a lot of craftsmen on here and I dip-dye. That's something to consider. Basically, I dip the piece after it is cut out in a container of dye, let it drip, wipe the excess off the grain side with a sponge and let it set over-night. The advantages to this method: a more uniform dye job overall, . . . the colors from item to item come out closer than other ways (at least I think so). May God bless, Dwight Quote
Members Harry Marinakis Posted October 5, 2014 Members Report Posted October 5, 2014 Sometimes it is useful to not dye both sides of the leather. When I make shoulder straps, often I will not dye the side of the strap that will be against clothing, to minimize the chance of staining (especially if there is chance of the leather getting wet). Quote
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