Carnauba Cream Causing Dye Transfer Trouble

[toxicgrapefruit]

I'm new to leatherwork, and though I've watched a lot of the leather dying tutorials available on youtube, I've hit a bit of a snag. I'm playing around with leather dyes and finishes, and am focusing on getting the dye to stay on my leather, and not mark up other things.

I dyed my leather with Fiebing's dark brown pro oil dye, let it dry, and buffed the snot out of it to grab any excess pigment. I then applied Fiebing's carnauba cream, let it dry, and then buffed to a nice shine. Before applying the carnauba cream, I could rub the leather with a white t-shirt, and didn't see any noticeable color transfer (if I really bared down on it, I could see a tiny amount, but regardless of how much buffing I did, I couldn't get that to quit). After applying the carnauba cream, it easily marks up the t-shirt. I assumed the solution was more buffing, so I buffed until I thought my arm was going to fall off, and the leather is nice and shiny, so I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I've thought about putting a coat or two of 50/50 Resolene/water to try to make the leather more colorfast, but if there is a problem with my overall technique, I'd rather fix the root cause, rather than put a bandaid on.

[Sizerelli]

I'm experiencing the same issue. Any advice would be welcome.

[NVLeatherWorx]

You get the same results with the Leather Balm with Atom Wax, it has to do with the waxes that are in the mixture. Good thing is that it doesn't last forever as once the waxes have fully penetrated (and that takes longer than other liquids do) you won't see it again. It is also a small reaction between the Pro Oil dyes and the finish but I have never had this issue when using the standard spirit dyes. Traditionally, I never use the Carnauba Creme because I get a better result with just doing my 50/50 of Resolene; which I then give a final coating of straight Resolene after the last 50/50 has set for 24 hours.

[toxicgrapefruit]

That's great info! Thanks!

[eternoui]

Did you tried to apply resolene after the resolene? a lot of people do not use the cream as a finish and they apply resolene above the carnauba cream

[eternoui]

I mean after the cream

[Oldtoolsniper]

This is out of a book by Peter Main on coloring leather. It shows what works with what.

[toxicgrapefruit]

Did you tried to apply resolene after the resolene? a lot of people do not use the cream as a finish and they apply resolene above the carnauba cream

That's what I've been doing lately, and that has cut back on dye transfer considerably. I may keep experimenting. I really like resolene, but on some some pieces, I'd prefer a wax finish to acrylic.

This is out of a book by Peter Main on coloring leather. It shows what works with what.

That looks like a fantastic resource. Thanks for sharing! I'll have to look into ordering a copy.

[Oldtoolsniper]

The book is called " The Main Technique of Coloring Leather"

By Peter Main

ISBN 0-9578802-2-7

[toxicgrapefruit]

The book is called " The Main Technique of Coloring Leather"

By Peter Main

ISBN 0-9578802-2-7

Thanks a lot! I'll check it out.

[eternoui]

Did you find any solution?