Dye Edges How To Avoid Getting Dye On The Grain Or Flesh Side?

[TheCyberwolfe]

I've been using the Dye-Liner brand felt pens for some time now, they make it a breeze to apply edge dye and it's a very convenient tool for short bouts of dye application. Be sure to get a couple of the eye droppers they sell for loading the dye into the pen - that cuts down on the mess greatly.

To avoid problems with hand tremors, you may need to adjust your application process by say, putting the leather flat on a piece of paper so you can rest the tip on the paper and slide it down the edge as opposed to doing it freehand. That should give you more control over the process.

[coreysyms]

Table top edge rollers work really well, I don't use one cause I just don't do enough inventory, but I know of a lot of small batch guys that swear by it, it looks like the thing restaurants use to butter bread, like this one, can't speak to if the Tandy one is crap... or if you should look to another brand. http://www.tandyleather.com/en-usd/product/table-top-edge-dyeing-roller-3010-00.aspx

[tboyce]

I've had problems in the past (also from shaky hands) I've tried the pens which I'm not too happy with, although they do work. My method now is to buy the smallest wool daubers that Tandy makes. I use a lighter to burn the dauber until it's about half consumed. Then I take a cloth and wipe away the char. What is left is a perfect applicator. The fibers of the dauber are all tight and even so there's not a stray fiber waiting to ruin everything, the dauber collects enough of the dye to make a long even sweep along the edge without having to stop and dip every half inch or so. I don't have to go over and over a spot because the pen isn't flowing properly. Of all the methods I've tried, it accomplishes the best even application

[johnv474]

Wrap a paint stir stick with a 100% cotton t-shirt, tight so there are no wrinkles on the face. Then, place your piece on the edge of a table so just the leather edge to be dyed sticks out past the table. Weigh/clamp/tack/staple down your piece. While applying the dye, run your finger along the edge of the table. This applies dye in a thin controllable line. Another layer of t-shirt will add "nap" and let you apply a wider line.

[DoubleC]

Tom I bought two pens as soon as they were mentioned. I used the fine on an edge and it kept slipping (I was using it from the side because I got frustrated with the pace of dying with the tip) and ended up getting dye all over. I ordered a dropper so I can fill it better and I'm going to try it again but I don't think they are going to work for me. I am so frustrated with this whole search for a way to dye edges.....But it's nice to knw I'm not alone. Cheryl

[Nuttish]

The Tandy machined brass pen sized rollers are nice. The Tandy table top rollers are garbage.

Things like this work fine and come in a variety of sizes.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/molotow-empty-markers-and-replacement-nibs/

[DoubleC]

Nuttish I bought some similar to those from turtle feathers and I used the fine point the first time and kept missing the edge and drawing on thee grain or back. I am not sure anyone except those of us that experience shaky hands understand how this is not an easy fix. I am so frustrated. Cheryl

[TomG]

I've experimented with dozens of ways to apply the edge dye and sealers. I started out with a wool dauber that I torched and melted down to a hard "pellet". Worked OK, but the metal "stick" was hard to hold.

Then I tried some felt. I used the felt pads that you stick to the bottom of furniture legs. I cut small squares. folded in half and held in a clothes pin to apply.

I now use foam tipped makeup applicators I got from Sally's beauty supply. These work great, but I wish I could find the ones with the longer handles. I can use a paper towel to wick the excess liquid out when I finish and I can use a dauber 10 or 15 times on each end before they fail. That with the Fiebings edge lacquer. The spirit based dye seems to eat them up a little faster, but I seldom apply that anyway..

Here's a pic of what I use.

[silverwingit]

I've had reasonably good results with the Tandy hand roller. If you are lucky you can get it on sale for less than the $30.

I say "reasonably" because I've had instances when the ribs on the brass roller tip left ridges on soft chrome tanned leather (I use Weaver edge dye which is pretty thick). That can be avoided by loading the tip with a just the right amount of edge dye and not pressing too hard on the edge of the leather as you roll it on.

Other than that it's the best solution for dyeing edges I've come across, but I have only used manual tools, not a tabletop roller. That would include a small sculpture spatula, Q-tips and pieces of thick felt held in a clothespin, which all had their own limitations in my hands.

Michelle

[jhw]

depending on the type of leather and its surface you might be able to use white electric type or maybe plastic wrap to cover the areas around the edges you want to dye. if you try this i would test on a scrap of your leather to make sure that 1. dye doesnt bleed, 2. whatever you use to cover the leather doesnt pull the leather and tear it.. i tried white electric tape with varying success (worked on one thin leather i had but not on another distressed leather piece). i also tried blue painters masking tape but that bled .. i ended up liking the pattern the edge paint made and decided to use it anyway.

Edited August 29, 2015 by jhw