Problem With A Finished Set Of Legge'ns

[Vaquero7]

So I just had a really fine set of leggings made and truly am happy with them. So I won't be saying where I got them from. I asked that the top yokes be darkened( I was thinking use an antique dye to fill in the depths etc) unfortunately. I looks as if maybe the maker used a dark brown (maybe) a cream dye and the beautiful carving looks very flat. Is there any way to clean this all up and redo it? I was thinking acetone but I'm not really sure it's going to work. It doesn't appear to be heated except by contact rubbing any info would be great!

[TinkerTailor]

Pictures would help a lot. Have you contacted the maker? Perhaps they can do it, or at least tell you what finish was used so you can do it yourself.

Most makers will put some kind of sealant over dye. In some cases finish may be several layers of dye, antiques and sealants. Each may have a different ideal removal method. Depending on what has been done already, what you want to do may not be possible and the end result may be much worse looking.

[Vaquero7]

Did contact the maker yes sir he put febings dark brown and rubbed until it was the color he believed I wanted. The color is a bit streaky but lost all depth. I would post pictures but for one he really is a hand and I wouldn't want him being criticized beat chaps I've ever owned and I go through two pair a year sometimes. The cut is perfect but it's just that dye that takes away from if.

[Thor]

Vaquero, we all make mistakes at times and even though TinkerTailor mentioned it already pictures would really help. Streaky leads me to the assumption that antique gel/wax was used on the yokes, which in your case (working cowboy) would be a wrong choice as it is water soluble. Beyond that??? Sorry this is a rough guess already and pictures are really needed.

[Vaquero7]

Well ok guys this hand makes damned fine leggings best out their beside Salanos in Raton he was just trying to do what I asked.

[Thor]

Okay, not putting the work of your maker down. Not at all! Just my observation and what I would consider of fixing this.

The background was stamped while the leather was still too wet. I assume that he was dying it when the leather was still too wet as well. If you are happy with the tooling, leave it as is. If it was mine I'd be improving the background at least cause there's a "border" around each element that I wouldn't want to have plus a "step" around the actual border (or is this the stitching?). That's a matter of taste. So either you like it or not.

Fixing the color...

I would give it a good wash to get rid of all crap (oils, wax, etc). If that is Fiebing's dye I believe it to be the dark brown tone. Get confirmation on that before you buy the color. Then I would use an oil based dye (dark brown) and re-dye the background using an artist brush. Have it well dried before dying (not in the sunlight) for at least a full day. You will have to oil it again, but wait with that until the dye has really settled and don't do that before you didn't achieve an even color saturation in the background. You will have to buff it to get rid of the excess dye. If you want to protect it against weather etc. I'd use Fiebing's bag cote in this case. Don't get this and the oil on your suede leather.

Well this is what I would do, maybe someone else has a better idea. Oh btw. are you going to wear these on your day to day job?

[Vaquero7]

Yes sir that's exactly what I thought. It is stitched with a tipmann boss. What would the cost be to have it fixed up. Guys I am a maker but I am going nine O right now as a full time cowboy ( full time 17 hour days living on the ground) let me know I sure appreciate it

[Thor]

Sorry I'm too far away to do this for you, but I forwarded the link to a fellow leatherworker. For the same reason I didn't offer to make a slit ear headstall for you. Shipping charges would almost be as expensive as the headstall itself.