superpacker Report post Posted December 26, 2017 Looking to purchase my first bottle of edge dye to finish belt edges. I'm just trying to understand the types available. The few dyes I've used in the past have actually soaked into the exposed edge and allowed for later burnishing (as in Hidepounder's tutorial). I prefer this approach to a paint type. I see these referred to as "spirit dyes" but don't know what constitutes a "spirit dye". I see Fiebings has both oil-based and alcohol based dye, and Tandy has "eco-flow" which seems to be water based. Also, I'm not sure if you need a different dye for edges than the types of dyes use use on the surface of leather. My local craft store carries a few colors of Fiebings Low VOX leather dye, and I don't know how that will do for edges. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mattsbagger Report post Posted December 26, 2017 Fiebings oil dyes and spirit dyes are the same thing. The spirit is most likely denatured alcohol or similar. What they call their Pro dyes have more pigment in them I believe. They are getting rid of the oil name. And yes tbere low voc and Tandy eco products are water based. So they can sell them in California. Lol. And I dye the edges with the same dye I dye the belt with. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
superpacker Report post Posted December 26, 2017 Thanks! don’t know how concerned about pigment concentration I am on edges - so might not opt for the professional. Will the low vox do fine? I’d love to just swing in and grab a bottle rather than waiting for the post man. But if I can get better results from other dye, I’m willing to order some Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mattsbagger Report post Posted December 26, 2017 I've never used the low voc stuff. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
superpacker Report post Posted December 27, 2017 Thanks. Any other comments are welcomed and appreciated Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJole Report post Posted December 27, 2017 I have used Eco-flow on some things, and I find that the colors are not as intense as spirit dye colors (Fiebings, Angelus, etc.) Also, since they are water based, they will bleed color unless you really cover them well with a water-proof finish of some sort. (I only keep some around for use by the occasional Boy Scout troop demo and so on. ) However, I have never used them on an edge, so I can't tell you how they would hold up for that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites