Dyeing Dog Collars

[frank207]

Hi,

As a newbie I want to start making some dog collars and my question is: should I be concerned that the dye or stain will bleed from the back of the collar? Is there some other finishing technique besides dying or staining I can use for the back or is just leaving it natural with some sort of oil/water proofing be sufficient?

Any information will be greatly appreciated. I also intend to make belts and there will be similiar techniques.

Thanks

Frank

[tonyc1]

Hi,

As a newbie I want to start making some dog collars and my question is: should I be concerned that the dye or stain will bleed from the back of the collar? Is there some other finishing technique besides dying or staining I can use for the back or is just leaving it natural with some sort of oil/water proofing be sufficient?

Any information will be greatly appreciated. I also intend to make belts and there will be similiar techniques.

Thanks

Frank

Why does a dying dog need a collar? (just joking)

Tony.

[HorsehairBraider]

Oh my word... the way you spelled this made me think you wanted to make collars for dead dogs! Wow, did that ever give me pause for thought!

And in case it has someone wondering.... "Dying collars" are collars for dogs who just aren't going to make it... "Dyeing collars" means you are going to be coloring the collars... I am sure it was just a typo but it made my heart stop for a minute or two... Whew! What a relief!

[frank207]

I appologize for the typo I did mean "dyeing". Is there really a special collar for dogs that are dying? Again I'm sorry.

Frank

[celticleather]

I usually use through-dyed bridle leather for dog collars. I once made one from natural veg-tan, and after a while it absorbed oils from the dog's skin, and water from its romps in puddles, and soon looked like a wet rag.

I find that bridle leather is more resistant to mistreatment, and more suited to animal applications.

[HorsehairBraider]

I appologize for the typo I did mean "dyeing". Is there really a special collar for dogs that are dying? Again I'm sorry.

Frank

As far as I know, all the collars are meant for living dogs! But when I read the title I started thinking, "Hey! Maybe they DO make collars for dying dogs" because you can always learn, and I thought you really meant collars for dying dogs! It was *MY* mistake, no need for you to apologize, it was very funny to me!

[Timbo]

Funny, but I had the exact same thought run thru my head as all the others.....why would you want to make a collar for dog that is soon to be dead??

Anyway, I have had luck making dog collars from veg tan but I do not dye them on the backside. I just leave it natural and dye the front and edges. The finish I have had the most success with it Leather Balm with Atom Wax by Fiebings from TLF. I use it on front and back and edges and it will slick down the edges and back really well and leave a nice sheen to the front. It also locks in the dye pretty well too.

I just slick the edges and back with a piece of canvas or denim after I put it on and let it sit for just a little while.

The bridle leather would would very well too......but it is kind of expensive and most people have some veg tan laying around.

Hope that helps and hope your dog rebounds soon!!!

Tim