Hello From The Uk

[Petewon]

Hi folks, I've been browsing for a few weeks and thought I'd best pop in and introduce myself.

I got into leather working last year through wanting to learn to make watch straps. Since then I've moved onto belts, wallets etc. I've learned a great deal already and hoping to learn more by hanging round here. I've already had some great inspiration from the gallery and picked up some excellent tips on edging.

I'm a bit stuck with streaky dying at the moment but hoping to sort that out next.

Cheers.

Pete.

Edited April 24, 2015 by Petewon

[OdinUK]

Hi Pete, welcome to the forum.

How are you applying the dye? It might help to moisten the leather first. I use an airbrush when possible.

[Petewon]

Hi Odin, yes I an dampening the leather first. I'm using feibings spirit and oil dyes and applying with a sponge. It's mainly lighter colours im having issues with. I've tried reducing the dye but still get inconsistent results.

I'm going out tomorrow to buy a compessor and airbrush which I'm hoping will solve the problem.

Thanks :-)

[BillB]

Hi Pete,

I have found that even the light oils from my hands can cause streaking of oil and spirit dyes by disrupting the absorption of the dye. I use Fiebing's Deglazer Cleaner first to make sure all surface oils are removed. This has helped me get a more consistent absorption of the dye.

[King's X]

Hello Pete and welcome to the forum.

[OdinUK]

If Im dying just black or dark brown over an area I use daubers and apply it in a circular motion. I also use oxalic acid crystals mixed with water to clean the leather as described in one of the Al Stohlman books. For lighter colours I find the airbrush works best for me.

I use cheap airbrushes for spraying dye over a large area, saving my more expensive ones for more precise spraying. I got a couple of cheap ones 'free' with the compressor I paid about £90 for. Id suggest one with an air tank so that the motor isn't constantly running.

[Petewon]

Thanks for the welcome and the tips folks.

Well I jumped the gun a little and popped out to buy the compressor today. It was a cheap AS18 type compressor and the chap assured me it would not work with a spray gun which was what I wanted to use. Something to do with the CFM not being high enough in the compressor??

So the question is, should I need to use a spray gun or can I get away with an air brush? It will be used for wallets so perhaps just covering leather maybe 5 inch. I assumed the gun would have a wider spread so would cover the full 5 or so inch with just one pass whereas the airbrush would take a few strokes to cover the leather and maybe be prone to streaks. Any ideas or reccomendations on a setup would be much appreciated. I'd like to keep it under £100 if possible.

Funny thing is I'm sure I've seen a video on YouTube of a AS18 used with a spray gun and getting great results. Who kows!

Thanks again.

Edit:

Could I get away with something like this? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AS-186-Complete-Airbrush-Kit-Compressor-With-Tank-/200600974912

Edited April 25, 2015 by Petewon

[Petewon]

Ok so I've just watched Ian Atkinsons video on airbrushing and it seems I won't need the gun, the airbrush should do what I'm after. I reckon I'll go with that setup from ebay.

[OdinUK]

I'd definitely use an airbrush, not a spray gun. I'd go for a syphon fed model so the dye is in a bottle that connects underneath the airbrush, less chance of spillage.

[Petewon]

I'd definitely use an airbrush, not a spray gun. I'd go for a syphon fed model so the dye is in a bottle that connects underneath the airbrush, less chance of spillage.

Cheers for the info. I reckon i'll purchace that setup tomorrow.

[Pip]

Hi Pete, welcome !!

Cheers for the info. I reckon i'll purchace that setup tomorrow.

a note, get yourself some paper suits and a good respirator!!