Advice On Dying Light Brown To A Russet Colored Hide

[Maverickson]

Hi All,

Currently, I'm working towards restoring of a 60-70 year old russet colored leather jacket. Key to this restoration is the replacing of a couple of it's panels. The problem being, the material I sourced to replace those panels was originally a seal brown. Now I am attempting to ultimately derive a russet color from a once dark brown (seal) colored hide.

To move this dying project along I have diminished that originally seal brown hide into a much more light color using acetone. Now begins the work to come up with the correct colors to achieve my goal!. So far using the different reductions of dyes (russet, mahogany & chocolate) available to me I have not struck upon a decent match for the russet color that I am attempting to duplicate.

I am aware that it takes ever so slight amount of color as compared to the reducer. So far everything I come up with is too dark Now I am of he opinion that I probably need a different color to add into the mix. Was hoping to hear from others that might get me moving in the right direction with a color suggestion to facilitate a good match!

The image seen below are of the two pieces of brown hides I am working with. The collar (reversed side) is the color I am trying to match. The piece of hide below it is the replacement hide & same once seal brown hide that I am ultimately hoping to match up with the russet colored collar seen resting upon it..

If anyone has an idea which may get this color right please let me know!

Cheers, Dave

Edited October 30, 2014 by Maverickson