Dye Rubbing Off Edges - Any Suggestions?

[efsam]

Hey all,

I've been having a problem with dye bleeding off the edges of my belts. After I've finished the edge, I can rub a cloth along it and get a small but not insubstantial amount of dye out of it. I'm concerned that this will beed onto clothes.

Here's how I've been doing my edges. I've been using Wickett and Craig Brown English Bridle and Black Latigo.

- clean off edges with saddle soap

- bevel edges

- burnish with water

- light sanding

- dye the edges with Fiebings oil or leather dye (I've experimented with dry times to no better results)

- wipe down and buff edges

- burnish with gum trag

- finish with beeswax/neatsfoot oil blend

I've even tried sealing with Resolene and I still get dye rubbing off. Anything else I can do or that I'm not doing right? I've read through the edge tutorial thread but haven't found anything.

Thanks!

Edited March 24, 2015 by efsam

[terrymac]

Finish with Neatlac ( Clearlac) That is what Hidepounder uses on all of goods.

Terry

Edited March 24, 2015 by terrymac

[craftsman827]

CHECK OUT, HIDEPOUNDERS TUTOR ABOUT THAT SUBJECT.

IT'S IN," HOW DO YOU DO THAT" THE FIRST POST, FINISHING EDGES

[MonicaJacobson]

I've been putting 3 thin coats of resolene on mine, and I get no bleeding problems. I'm not saying it's a proven edge (I haven't tried it long enough), but after three thin coats (1 every twelve hours) if I rub a wet cloth on it, nothing comes off.

[efsam]

Thanks for the replies.

On some further experimentation it seems like most of the dye is rubbing off of the corner right where the burnished edge meet the face of the leather. It might even be more coming off the color of the leather rather than the edge dye.

I guess some color rubbing off is unavoidable on veg tan leather.

[chiefjason]

Dye first then burnish. Stopped mine from rubbing off. Seems to get deeper in the raw leather than the burnished leather.

[Geneva]

Of all the posts about "how to" and what "not" to how to I have yet to see anyone mention the most "important" step in making a belt.

Are you guys keeping this a trade secret?? As far as I can tell you guys don't have a clue as to how to make a belt that doesn't bleed dye onto something.

Were is the tallow that is supposed to be applied to the belt before finishing??

[terrymac]

Of all the posts about "how to" and what "not" to how to I have yet to see anyone mention the most "important" step in making a belt.

Are you guys keeping this a trade secret?? As far as I can tell you guys don't have a clue as to how to make a belt that doesn't bleed dye onto something.

Were is the tallow that is supposed to be applied to the belt before finishing??

It must really a trade secret as I have no clue to what you are talking about. Tallow???

Terry

[stomper4x4]

Of all the posts about "how to" and what "not" to how to I have yet to see anyone mention the most "important" step in making a belt.

Are you guys keeping this a trade secret?? As far as I can tell you guys don't have a clue as to how to make a belt that doesn't bleed dye onto something.

Were is the tallow that is supposed to be applied to the belt before finishing??

Do tell!

[Geneva]

Beef tallow works best. I apply it with a piece of sheepskin with the wool left own. It is applied like shoe polish small dabs at a time rubbed thoroughly over the entire area rub until it disappears into the leather, before the sealer is applied. I use Resolene on a damp cloth (towel junk tee shirt) not diluted.

When this done properly upon looking at and picking up the project, either a belt or horse tack, you will be able to tell at a touch if this is a quality product.

Good luck.

[efsam]

Using tallow seems pretty similar to using neatsfoot or olive oil or a blend of that and bees/paraffin wax. I wonder if the tallow provides something the others don't.

And as far as the dye, I've come to the conclusion that the edge is being sealed pretty effectively by the techniques I've been using as has the front and back sides of the leather with resolene or other finish. The problem area is still where the rounded edge meets the face of the leather. That's where all the bleeding is coming from when I run a cloth on it no matter how well it seems to be sealed up. I tried this on a latigo Orion belt I have and found just as much bleed. Is this simply unavoidable?

[kevinp]

This is what I do and dont have any dye coming off when this is finished,

Sand the edge if needed,

dampen the edge,

fiebings edge dye,

then burnish,

fiebings oil dye

then burnish again,

then grab a cloth and rub the edges until they are shining

then beeswax the edge

and burnish

then the beeswax again

and final burnish and polish.

This might seem like a lot of work but you can become pretty quick at this.