Dying and finishing veg-tan and other leather

[GrimR]

Hello, If you look at my profile you will see I am very new to leatherwork. One thing i am confused on is what type of dye should you use and what type of finish coat with it to make it durable and waterproof.

I have read a few posts, blogs and watched videos on Youtube, but not sure if you are using an oil dye which 'top finish' should go with it. Can you use an oil dye and finish with a water-based waterproofer? in my mind oil and water don't mix. In other words are there combinations of product that should be used together?

I have also read where someone used a top finish to see that it degraded (if that is the correct word) after a while and a reply was that you should reapply the finish, but when you purchase leather goods in the shop, you don't have to take it back after 1 or 2 years to have the finish/waterproofing re-applied.

Thanks

Graham

[fredk]

A/ you can never make real leather goods water-proof. You can only make them a little bit water resistant, light rain proof

B/ much of the 'leather' goods sold in shops at the cheaper prices is made of PU Leather; an artificial leather mostly made of pvc type plastic which does not need aftercareeg the handbags sold in Tesco and ASDA. Quality leather goods do 'wear' and the outside does need regular feeding and treatment - examples; saddles, leather seats in quality cars [I've just been asked to refinish the seats of a few Series 6 BMWs as they are worn], briefcases, holsters......

C/ Any sort of finish for leather can be put over any sort of dye, once the dye is dry and buffed to removed surface excess. Choice of dye and finish is up to the personal experience or thought of the worker - we all have our favourites. Ask 10 of us and get 20 answers. Personally I use Fieblings acrylic dyes, followed by thin coats of Resolene to seal then a coat or two of a neetsfoot oil & beeswax mixture. Some on here prefer oil dies, some prefer Snow Proof or Aussie Conditioner over Resolene. Start with one type of dye, eg the acrylic dye, and say Resolene - get used to how they work together, if you can work with them keep with that, or change one at a time until you get results you are happy with. Being in England you might be near one of the Tandy shops, buy what they have; its repeatable stock so you can get the same time after time

 

hth

[GrimR]

Thanks fredk, will order some up.

GR