Cogs Report post Posted November 16, 2015 A hunting rig. To keep the pistol dry in wet weather. Didn't want to buy the camo pre-printed stuff. It's more of a challenge and a great learning experience when you try new things. I tried. I'll try again another day. I really like the marble look, although I was trying to get the camo look. Still have some learning to do about the Carrageenan (Irish Moss) mixture and how to get it to 'Gel' up. It seemed too watery. Instructions on the Carrageenan bag said to mix it up and let it 'rest' for 12 hours. So, I followed those directions and expected to see more of a Jello media to drop the die into. It was too runny. (Could have bought the Gel kit from Goods Japan, but wanted to do it my way. I'll get there!) Also, the die's I used were not all consistent. Some were oil based others were Tandy's Eco-Flo. The oil based did best by staying on top, spreading out and mixing nicely. I'm not a scientist, nor a paint specialist or anything even close to it. I'm just playing around. But I do like this outcome, so, I went ahead and finished the project (belt and holster) and I really like it. It's just an old piece of belly leather that had been in the sun too long and was going to be used for some project that I never did get to, so, not a big loss if it didn't work. I can now see that if I had a large container, I could do a side or larger at one time, then cut it up for projects, tool it and finish as normal. Once the holster is done drying, (currently in wet mold to fit the gun), it should lighten up to match the belt. I'll finish the belt soon and will have a nice, (unique), hunting rig. It makes for some exciting custom leather look! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grey Drakkon Report post Posted November 16, 2015 First off, that looks awesome, surprisingly so since you said you mixed dyes and stains which usually results in...Not so great results. Secondly, if you wanted a camo effect why not dye on the light color and then sponge on a darker color on top of it? Looks like a fun experiment in any case and a very unique look. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jasj Report post Posted November 16, 2015 Hi Cogs, As a base for floating dyes for marbling, I use wallpaper paste mixed as per instructions for hanging wallpaper. It is ready to use straight away. The only science to know is that you should use oil or spirit based dyes, as they will float on the surface of the water based paste, just like the dreaded oil slicks on waterways or the sea. Water based dye will tend to mix with wallpaper paste. This is my experience here in Australia, so I don't know about wallpaper paste in USA. Marbling is a good way to use discolored or 'pink' veg tan, but best results come from clean fresh leather. Cheers Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DS STRAPS Report post Posted November 16, 2015 Great job I love the way that came out....looks good! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
retiredff Report post Posted November 16, 2015 (edited) I have a deer rifle I want to camo. I thought of buying or making a few stencils, then use an airbrush to apply the various colors. The synthetic stock is black so I assume I need some browns, reds, green and maybe yellows. Then seal with something like Liquitex Varnish Matte. That will be a winter project. Edited November 16, 2015 by retiredff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grey Drakkon Report post Posted November 16, 2015 I have a deer rifle I want to camo. I thought of buying or making a few stencils, then use an airbrush to apply the various colors. The synthetic stock is black so I assume I need some browns, reds, green and maybe yellows. Then seal with something like Liquitex Varnish Matte. That will be a winter project. I made some excellent browns by airbrushing red on top of green. Putting brown on top of green would make an even darker greenish brown, depending on the dyes used. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
retiredff Report post Posted November 16, 2015 Grey Drakkon - I won't be using dyes, I'll use acrylic paints either Angelus or Com-Arts. The Com-Arts are airbrush ready if using a .3 or larger tip and they have a camo set that has 10 colors. For detail and a .2 or smaller tip the paint will have to be reduced. The Angelus will have to be reduced 2:1 (reducer:paint) or more depending on your airbrush/needle size and PSI. A cheap $25 brush is OK for dyes but a PITA for acrylic paints and detail work. Don't ask how I know... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grey Drakkon Report post Posted November 16, 2015 Haha I don't have to ask, I found that out myself when using super thick Lumier acrylic paints. >_< Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MonicaJacobson Report post Posted November 17, 2015 That's sweet! I've always wanted to marble paper (someday), it hadn't occurred to me that it was possible to marble leather. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
