GDS Report post Posted January 2, 2017 (edited) Hi All, This is my first time dip dyeing. Came out horrible. Was very suprised after reading about it and it supposing to resolve un-eveness. This is the result after about 10 hrs. dry time with a fan blowing across. It was not apparent until after a bit of drying. I used fiebings saddle tan reduced about 60/40 submerged about 10 seconds, cleaned before hand with barkeepers friend soft and water and dried. Red arrow is the natural leather, blue was target color, green looks wet but is "dry". Leather also became very hard but is not oiled yet. What do you think happened? How can I recover, redip? If I have to I could vinagroon, but was really shooting for the blue arrow color. Took a good amount of time to get to that color. At this point I would go with the green arrow color. I have buffed it and get no color transfer. Thanks Bill Edited January 2, 2017 by GDS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikermutt07 Report post Posted January 2, 2017 What leather is it? I've had problems with Tandy leather. I could only get it even with full strength dye. Any dilution at all would give an uneven putrid color. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bolt Vanderhuge Report post Posted January 2, 2017 I have had better results by getting the leather wet and then dip dyeing. As for the getting hard I am guessing that you cut it with an alcohol type reducer. This will strip the oil from the leather. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GDS Report post Posted January 2, 2017 Yeah it's Tandy leather 8-9 oz I think. I did a holster dyed by hand, cut from right next to this that was reduced, but not as much. Came out near perfect. I knew this would harden up but wow. For kicks I put a mahogany antique on it to hopefully give it a worn looking appearance. Not to bad so far, let that dry and oil. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YinTx Report post Posted January 2, 2017 I tried to dip dye a leather leash, just ran it through, not trying to "soak it" at all, so maybe 2 seconds in the dye. Came out horrible, all blotchy and uneven as well. Was also disappointed with results, as I had also read that dip dye would resolve uneven issues and provide a deeper dye into the leather. I could definitely use some pointers here from those who have had success. I also did it with W&C leather, same results, so I don't really think it had to do with the leather this time.. more my technique. Wish I had photos of the leashes to illustrate the issue, but had to ship them off before I could even snap a cell phone image! Anyhow, the OP's images pretty much sum up my results as well... YinTx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Troy I Report post Posted January 3, 2017 (edited) I use Wickett & Craig 9/10 oz ...I dip this leather without a problem, comes out very even...I do not dilute my dyes and let it sit in the dye any where between 15 sec up to 1 minute, depending on the color I want...most of the time the leather is in the dye for 30 seconds. The leather is usually wiped down with rubbing alcohol before dying, just to make sure it has not picked up anything off the work surface that would impede the dye from absorbing into the leather. Also, make sure that you rub the dye into the leather after you take it out of the dye..I usually rub the leather with my hand until all the dye has been absorbed by the leather...make sure you wear a rubber gloves....lmao Edited January 3, 2017 by Troy I Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikermutt07 Report post Posted January 3, 2017 I've had pretty good results dip dying. I just run straps through once or twice. Wipe off excess with an old t shirt rag and lay them flat. Other items I have dipped up to ten seconds. I had been diluting with alcohol, but now I just use water with my fiebings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
