alpha2 Posted July 20, 2017 Report Posted July 20, 2017 Finally got to use the airbrush. Dark brown on light brown. Nothing earth shattering, just an experiment. I should have gone darker on the edges. The contrast was a bit better before I used my magic sauce (beeswax, paraffin, neatsfoot oil) on it. I learned that I can't thin the dark brown enough to get it to spray through the #1 needle/nozzle. I cranked the psi up to 40+ before it sprayed, then it was intermittent. It just backed up into the jar. I strained the dye, too. Still, the #2 worked fine. It certainly saves on dye over swabbing it on! Quote So much leather...so little time.
alpha2 Posted July 20, 2017 Author Report Posted July 20, 2017 Here's one without the flash, much better rendering of the contrast! Quote So much leather...so little time.
Members Grey Drakkon Posted July 20, 2017 Members Report Posted July 20, 2017 The effect IS subtle, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It will probably look awesome the more it ages. Quote "Everyone with telekinesis, raise my hand!" -Repairman Jack
Boriqua Posted July 20, 2017 Report Posted July 20, 2017 (edited) When you air brush some colors atop another they deceive you. I have found that if I do a halo with the dark brown or mahogany that it can look great and then when I wet mold ... the cool effect is a little less dramatic than I would like. What I do now to ensure the final is close to what was in my head is after I spray my halo on whatever base color .. I let it dry an hour or so and then buff it well. Then spray it again. This is speculation since I am not studying it at a microscopic level but it seems that when I spray the halo on to dyed dry leather I dont get the same penetration so alot of the pigment that is in the suspension sits on top. When you look at it you beam with pride at how cool it looks but once you wet it that surface pigment kind of comes off and you are left with what actually penetrated. Since I started doing it the way I describe above my end product is pretty close to what I intended. I don't mind happy accidents but as craftsman we should strive to make repeatable techniques so that we are in control of the final product. The holster looks great though and Grey is right it will get more dramatic with a little use especially since you used wax. Edited July 20, 2017 by Boriqua Quote
Contributing Member JLSleather Posted July 20, 2017 Contributing Member Report Posted July 20, 2017 (edited) How small is your tip? I've never had any trouble blowing full-strength dark brown and chocolate through a #1 tip with Paasche VL. This one is done with a #3 tip, because I had that one handy and didn't need any precision at all. The one on the table is - I think - the #5 tip/needle, and I do have a couple with the #1 tip for smaller work. Edited July 20, 2017 by JLSleather Quote "Observation is 9/10 of the law." IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.
Members blink1688 Posted July 20, 2017 Members Report Posted July 20, 2017 Looks pretty good to me. As already stated, it'll probably only get better with age. What are the ratios in your magic sauce? Quote
alpha2 Posted July 20, 2017 Author Report Posted July 20, 2017 I tried the #1 tip that came with the airbrush, the same that you have, Paasche VL. I may try it again today, since it works for you. Thinking back, I noticed that the nut was rough, compared to the #2 that was on the brush new. I may have not tightened it enough to the brush, which would likely prevent the siphon action. As I recall, the magic mix was 60/40 beeswax/neatsfoot oil, then added the paraffin later when I read about it on this forum. The consistency is like that of "waxy butter"...for want of a better description! Thanks for the replies and tips, guys and gals! Jeff Quote So much leather...so little time.
Contributing Member JLSleather Posted July 20, 2017 Contributing Member Report Posted July 20, 2017 There's a "nut"? You may have the VLS model? Quote "Observation is 9/10 of the law." IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.
Boriqua Posted July 20, 2017 Report Posted July 20, 2017 I am in a little shock at the moment .... Jeff .. A video!! WTH .. everything about life is now in question. Anyway .. Jeff does his fade after wet mold so the colors are staying fresher. I usually do the fade before wetmold so go with a little extra dye. I just like doing as much dying as I can with a flat piece. Quote
Contributing Member JLSleather Posted July 20, 2017 Contributing Member Report Posted July 20, 2017 (edited) Nope, neither of those is formed yet And the video is to show how simple that is AND maybe poke a bit of fun at those who love to tell you how "difficult" it is to make a video! A video that looks pretty on the surface but doesn't actually show you what you came to ask is like a classic car immaculately painted. With no transmission AFTER FORMING Edited July 20, 2017 by JLSleather Quote "Observation is 9/10 of the law." IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.
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