Streaking dye

[Rolandranch]

You can dip-dye but that often uses a lot of dye which can get expensive. I had the same problem a year ago and this forum helped me fix it. Believe it or not, a cheap airbrush from Harbor Freight puts on the dye very evenly. That's what i would have used for what you are doing. For what you have already done, (if you have not already put the finish on) I would take a damp cloth and rub it in a circular pattern. That will help it blend in. The finish sometimes helps too. Apply neatsfoot and leave it in the sun until it turns the shade you want (10 hrs or so is usually long enough). The sun does miracles to leather color. I think it heats it up and helps the dye, oil, and finish blend evenly into the leather. However, for best results, it should be placed in the sun right after everything is applied. If it's already dry, another light coat of neatsfoot wouldn't hurt before placing it in the sun.

Hope this helps.  

-Ryan

[MorningStarL]

On 2/10/2018 at 9:52 AM, fredk said:

For large areas I dampen the leather and apply dye with a sponge about 3 x 4 inches. I apply in a few straight strokes then go over it using circular

For medium sized item I dip dye. I use a stainless steel oven baking tray. I dilute the dye about 2 alcohol to 1 dye

FredK, thanks for this.   The other day I found a quart of Ecoflow's Java Brown.  I love the colour and it's always blotchy and uneven.  I cut it 2:1 with alcohol and used a kitchen sponge on damp leather, and got the best dye job ever.  Took two coats, then neatsfoot oil, and then I used neutral shoe polish (because my Resolene's all dried up in the jar!!!).  There are problems with this -- I'm out of practice -- but I LOVE the way the colour came out.