Contributing Member Regis Posted January 8, 2008 Contributing Member Report Posted January 8, 2008 I am making a molded holster. "Thought I was being smart by dying inside before sewing. and for some reason ( :ranting: ) I used eco black. Dyed fine and dried for 5 days before I got around to molding it. Wet it under sink and dye went everywhere. It ran like,,,,,,,,well, like dye running down the drain. This absolutely convinced me NOT to use the eco dyes on anything that will get very wet. I know it didn't have any protective coating but, for anyting that will get real wet, it would need to "absolutely water proofed". Actually I'm glad I found out now BEFORE my neighbor returned it with dye running down his pants cuz he slipped and got holster soaked. Any suggestions where to go from here? Happens to be on a matched OWB pair of 1911's. Are the holsters just throw-aways? I think so unless someone has sealer or cleanup idea. Quote God, Family, and Country (although liberals are attempting to destroy these in the USA)
Members eagle Posted January 8, 2008 Members Report Posted January 8, 2008 I am making a molded holster. "Thought I was being smart by dying inside before sewing. and for some reason ( :ranting: ) I used eco black. Dyed fine and dried for 5 days before I got around to molding it. Wet it under sink and dye went everywhere. It ran like,,,,,,,,well, like dye running down the drain. This absolutely convinced me NOT to use the eco dyes on anything that will get very wet. I know it didn't have any protective coating but, for anyting that will get real wet, it would need to "absolutely water proofed". Actually I'm glad I found out now BEFORE my neighbor returned it with dye running down his pants cuz he slipped and got holster soaked. Any suggestions where to go from here? Happens to be on a matched OWB pair of 1911's. Are the holsters just throw-aways? I think so unless someone has sealer or cleanup idea. Quote
Contributing Member Jordan Posted January 8, 2008 Contributing Member Report Posted January 8, 2008 only thing I can think of is to use a solvent or oil based dye then clearcoat of acrylic. Eco is a H2O based dye so even sweat would make it run. But I sweat acid I think cause it even eats the finish off my eyeglasses and destroys the neckline of any shirt I own after a couple of months. Quote
Members whinewine Posted January 8, 2008 Members Report Posted January 8, 2008 Regis, all eco flow stuff is water based, even the super shene, before it dries. That's the problem. That's the flaw. The stuff runs. It runs badly... The wackos demand '...safe...' '...environment friendly...' stuff (which I really don't have a problem with, & yes, I do like some of the eco flow stuff & yes, I do use a lot of their colored hi-liters & all-in-ones), but I am against all the good stuff being banned, too. I mean, c'mon: you know barge stinks & you know spirit dyes have fumes & they should only be used with proper ventilation & it'll hurt you if you try to drink it, & if you're too stupid to figure it out or too stupid to keep it secured from the kids, then maybe, perhaps, you shouldn't be allowed to play with chemicals. Maybe, instead of banning these things, perhaps there should be an IQ test associated with purchasing chemicals. Maybe, while we're at it, have the people we elect (& also the people who vote, too) take an IQ test, also. I'm sure that'll knock a loadful outta the box right from the start... Sorry, I ramble. Quote
Members bcurrier Posted January 8, 2008 Members Report Posted January 8, 2008 I think the issues are more environmental than health concerns (not to minimize the latter, of course). You'd think there has to a fixative that would work with water-based stuff, though. Bill Quote
Members whinewine Posted January 9, 2008 Members Report Posted January 9, 2008 You'd think there has to a fixative that would work with water-based stuff, though.Bill Unfortunately, there isn't. Once it's dry, super shene & neatlac & several other products can seal it, but water is the only common substance that will allow leather to stretch & be form-fitted to an object or a mold, & if you try to seal it beforehand, the leather can't absorb water. Water based products will run in the presence of water, pure & simple. Quote
Ambassador abn Posted January 9, 2008 Ambassador Report Posted January 9, 2008 This is all very true. I'm a big proponent of the Eco-Flo dyes and Satin Shene, but I'm only making belts, wallets, covers, etc. With a couple of coats of Satin Shene on top, Eco-Flo dyes are water resistant -- which means occasional exposure to a few drops of rain, etc. I've never had a problem with Eco-Flo under those circumstances. BUT, if I was building something that might get significant exposure to water like a holster or a motorcycle seat, etc., I think continuing to use spirit dyes makes sense. But I still wouldn't dye before molding. If you want the inside of the holster to be black, I'd either use a dauber post-construction, or I'd think about a dip-dye method... Just my 2 cents! (If it's even worth that much!) :pirate2: Alex Quote
Members bcurrier Posted January 9, 2008 Members Report Posted January 9, 2008 Yeah, I understand the basic syndrome, which is that the dye has to be soluble in water in order for water to act as the carrier into the leather. As a result, re-wetting just re-dissolves the dye and it runs all over. What I meant by a "fixative" is a curing agent that changes the dye into a non water-soluble form. There's a number of problems in delivering something like that, not the least of which is that it exchanges the solvent dye problem with a curing agent problem. Hmmm - maybe the answer is to figure out how to make your own alcohol-based dyes???... Bill Quote
Contributing Member wolvenstien Posted January 9, 2008 Contributing Member Report Posted January 9, 2008 Hmmm - maybe the answer is to figure out how to make your own alcohol-based dyes???...Bill Shouldnt be too hard... leather folks been making thier own dyes long before tandy and the other businesses started doing it for us..... Quote "The miracle is not how two adults can create a child, the phenomenon is how quickly a child can create two adults." -- VYBE Her: Hit Me Him: Do you want me to use the knife? Her: No, When you hit with a knife, that's STABBING!
Ambassador abn Posted January 9, 2008 Ambassador Report Posted January 9, 2008 Well, if you don't have a California address, you should still be able to get ahold of the old alcohol-based Fiebing's Leather Dyes. Tandy still sells them, as do others... Quote
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