Members cldpsu Posted March 9, 2015 Members Report Posted March 9, 2015 Hey everyone, I did a search and can't find a thread specific to how much buffing to do. On a recently dyed belt without a finish, no matter how much I buff with a soft cloth, I always get dye pigment on it. Is this normal and does one stop after a few minutes of buffing, comfortable that the surface excess has been removed? I don't really understand if I'm pulling out whats impregnated or if I'm still removing surface excess dye. It seems eternal. Quote
Northmount Posted March 9, 2015 Report Posted March 9, 2015 As long as dye is coming off onto you buffing rag, you are removing surface pigment. Buff until just before your arm falls off, then go back to it again after a rest until a white rag stays clean. Try a test sample, dilute your dye at least 50/50, let dry at least 8 hours between applications. Then buff it when you have colour built up to the level you wish. Use a solvent compatible with your dye to dilute the dye. What dye were you using? Knowing the dye you used may get some additional responses that are directly applicable to that type of dye. Also tell what your method of application was. Tom Quote
Members cldpsu Posted March 9, 2015 Author Members Report Posted March 9, 2015 Thanks, Tom. This was with Fiebings Pro Oil. I'm new to all of this and may have applied neatsfoot oil before the initial buffing started, but I can't remember now. I'm not sure if that has any impact on it. Quote
Members cldpsu Posted March 10, 2015 Author Members Report Posted March 10, 2015 Oh and my method of application was with a dauber/sponge. Quote
Members cldpsu Posted March 10, 2015 Author Members Report Posted March 10, 2015 Can anyone chime in whether neatsfoot oil being applied before buffing could cause a never ending attempt to buff out the dye? I'm not exactly sure what's considered normal in terms of excess being buffed out. Here's a labor pic. Quote
Northmount Posted March 10, 2015 Report Posted March 10, 2015 Have you used two colours of dye? Looks darker in the pic in a couple places. If this is not two-tone, then I would guess that you have too much NF oil in the dark areas and it is probably lifting the dye as it bleeds out. NF oil should be applied sparingly, and wait 8 hours or more to see that it levels/spreads out evenly. I see from other posts that some oil the leather lightly before applying dye, and others oil after the dye has dried to replace some of the natural oils that are lost during the dye process. Helps to make the leather more supple again. If you have too much oil, the leather also goes mushy. Bury it in cornstarch or kitty litter for a week to absorb the excess if this is what has happened. Tom Quote
Members cldpsu Posted March 10, 2015 Author Members Report Posted March 10, 2015 Don't think I have too much oil. It's two-toned for sure. I guess I'll keep buffing, haha. Those cloths are all from the belt. Is this a normal amount rubbed off that you see in the pic? Quote
Members texback Posted March 10, 2015 Members Report Posted March 10, 2015 (edited) I'm with Tom.......looks like you may have over oiled the belt or have not waited long enough for the oil to even out if you are getting that much rub off. I dye my pieces, wait 24 hrs, buff and never get that kind of rub off. Then apply a light coat of oil with a rag, wait 24 hrs and buff again, only getting very light if any rub off. I use Fiebing's pro oil black and brown quite a bit. How did you apply the neatsfoot oil? Edited March 10, 2015 by texback Quote
Members cldpsu Posted March 10, 2015 Author Members Report Posted March 10, 2015 I applied it with a soft polishing cloth that you get from cobbler shops. It doesn't feel mushy as Tom said it might, but perhaps I should bury it in corn starch or something like he said. Maybe I did over oil but it's not mushy, but I understand what you guys are saying about waiting enough for it to even/level/spread out. I know Fiebing's Resolene is good but I'm annoyed at myself and would hate to just conceal all this excess dye with the topcoat that probably won't even adhere well to the grain but rather the excess dye. Is it right to think then that over oiling causes a deep saturation that ends up penetrating under the dye and then pushes the dye out of the belt? Nothing is really trivial with this stuff. I'm fascinated by all of it, despite my mistakes. So, to conclude, would the course of action to remedy this be burying it in cornstarch and then hopefully buffing out excess dye and then top coating it? Or will the burying cause the leather to be dry once again and require a light coat of oil? Quote
Northmount Posted March 10, 2015 Report Posted March 10, 2015 Let it dry another day and then go at it again and see if you are still getting never-ending rub off. Tom Quote
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