Fliebing's Lt. Brown Oil Dye

[Tac]

Thanks Dan. It's a cheap investment if you have a compressor already!

Harry... I appreciate your concern for my health! I would seriously be interested in the answer to the question you pose to Fliebings. I have pretty good vetilation in my garage, where I would be using my air brush, but if added precausions, (like a mask/filter) are needed, I would consider the cost and go from there.

-Tac

[MADMAX22]

Well when airbrushing you will be turning it in to a mist or whatever that gets airborne but your not changing any of the chemical properties of the dye. If it releases benzine then there was benzine in the dye to begin with.

However its still not good to breathe the stuff whatever is in there, so atleast a little mask thats good fitting (can get them at homedepot or the such allthough I go to lowes because HD tends to be antigun) and youll be set.

[dickf]

Great looking finish. I guess an airbrush is something to add to my ever-growing list of tools and gear.

I've used the method in Chuck's thread about Isopropyl alcohol as a deglazer and it works really well.

[Go2Tex]

Yeah, nice job for light brown. It's a pain to get that light coat using a douber. I've gotten a nice light coat, unintentionally, by dying wet leather. Of course, if you were going to try it intentionally, the leather should be cased well so that the moisture is even throughout the leather, giving an more even obsorption. But, it's still a crap shoot every time I open a bottle of dye.

I've found that moulding the leather will make it more difficult to get an even effect also. A lot of rubbing down of wet leather is the same process as tempering strap leather to make it firm, so I guess the pores of the leather get pressed together and, voila!.... blotchy dye jobs. That's probably why my dyed saddle seats are hard to dye evenly, hmmmm.

Moulding/rubbing also puts a lot of oils from your hands on the leather, which requires cleaning with deglazer or something to remove all that grime.

Edited December 3, 2008 by Go2Tex

[Bree]

Airbrushing any solvent-based dye can affect health from breathing stuff that your lungs don't like. It can also affect life by causing explosions if you get enough solvent mist and an ignition source! Spray booths used for spraying solvent-based paints and the like must have explosion proof motors/lights etc.

It's a good idea to spray any solvent-based stuff with lots of ventilation... preferably outside if you can... and certainly not within range of an ignition source.

[tazzmann]

As another side note, not relating to health, if you use an airbrush with solvent based dyes or clean with paint thinner, remember that some of the cheaper air brushes use RUBBER seals which will melt. (I just replaced a set that turned to goo with over use of solvent cleaners.) Either spend the money for a good airbrush which uses nylon seals, or replace the rubber ones with nylon. Most airbrush companies offer nylon replacement seals, though sometimes you have to call and ask for them directly. The other options is to keep buying refurb kits every time your seals turn to goo.

[Shorts]

Speaking of airbrushes I bought a Badger 350 last night. My cheapo HF $5.99 airbrush finally bit the farm and I had gear on the table needing top coat.

Good work Tac on the gear. I've used the AB these past 6 or 7mths and I'm happy with the results. I can't stand dealing with clogged nozzles/cleaning/etc but I like the results

When spraying Eco-Flo, I wear a mask. While it isn't toxic it does get in my sinuses and airways and well, its gross. If you're spraying other dye yall be sure to take precautions. No sense in hurting your health if the threat can be mitigated with minimal fuss.

[TwinOaks]

Harry, I appreciate your following up with Fiebings for us. It's a good thing to know, and I'm pretty happy that everyone else has chimed in with their safety concerns. Regarding the masks: If you don't have a good ventilation system ( or can't go outdoors to work) I strongly recommend getting a single or dual cartridge mask that filters VOCs. It isn't really an issue for me, as I'm working outside, using the delapidated door of my shed as a backstop for overspray, but some folks don't have that option. Great hijack topic, gang!

Tac, excellent work on the rig, I'm hoping the next few projects I do turn out as even as that.

[HarryB]

Rumor debunked!!! I spoke with a rep from Fiebing's today and was told that it is safe to airbrush Fiebing's solvent dyes as long as we use sufficient ventilation. Good to know; now I will start doing it again. Always best to be on the safe side when we're talking about our health.

[Luke Hatley]

Rumor debunked!!! I spoke with a rep from Fiebing's today and was told that it is safe to airbrush Fiebing's solvent dyes as long as we use sufficient ventilation. Good to know; now I will start doing it again. Always best to be on the safe side when we're talking about our health.

AND A MASK WILL BE VERY BENEFICIAL ALSO.........