ERen89 Report post Posted June 20, 2017 As I have stated in another post I am new to leatherwork. How do I go about selecting a color of dye if I want something specific? I'm trying to go online to see what the dyes will end up looking like after applied but it's never going to be the same as what they have on color charts. I am making some belt pouches and the color I want to go for is something like my shoes, it's kind of like a very dark smoky brown almost black/grayish. I have found some dark browns but I don't believe they would give off the same appearance, I like that sort of smoky Dusty look. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikermutt07 Report post Posted June 20, 2017 If these are store bought shoes, they are chrome tanned. They look chrome tanned to me, anyway. This is dyed at the factory and the closest you can get is all you can do. If you look to Maverick or Arcadia's websites you may find something similar. I haven't ordered from Acadia but have had good dealings with Maverick. Maybe someone more knowledgeable than me will pop in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ERen89 Report post Posted June 20, 2017 OK thanks I'll check them out. Yeah my biggest concern is getting the right color because like I said those digital color charts on websites I don't know if I really trust because once I get a bottle, I really have a strong feeling it's not gonna look like that digital chart. I usually prefer to see an actual example of a swatch of an actual piece of leather already dyed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Halitech Report post Posted June 20, 2017 different tanneries, different weights, different areas of different hides will all react differently. Best you can hope for if you are dying yourself will be close. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikermutt07 Report post Posted June 20, 2017 1 hour ago, ERen89 said: OK thanks I'll check them out. Yeah my biggest concern is getting the right color because like I said those digital color charts on websites I don't know if I really trust because once I get a bottle, I really have a strong feeling it's not gonna look like that digital chart. I usually prefer to see an actual example of a swatch of an actual piece of leather already dyed. We all shoot in the dark with color. It just is. Buying prefinished leather is your best bet on the colors. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ERen89 Report post Posted June 20, 2017 OK. I think I actually found a dye I'm going to get. But is there a certain technique to make it look more worn out after you dye it? Kind of like a fading dusty look? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
