Air brushing

[RegisD]

I make gunleather and I use Hermann Oak leather (4-5 oz., 7-8 oz., 9-10 oz. , ) and Fiebing's Pro dye.  A couple of months ago I started applying dye with an air brush.  I really like the smooth application, the ability to control the shade of the color, all good.  However, I'm a little concerned about whether the dye is getting good penetration into the leather.  A few times I've noticed the dye has rubbed off in areas after I've applied it and while I'm doing something else, like hand stitching.  This has only occurred before I seal it with 50/50 Resolene.  After I seal a piece I hand rub it with Montana Pitch Blend Leather Dressing.  My concern is over the long haul is air brushed dye durable enough?  I would appreciate any experiences from those who have been using an air brush for awhile.   

Thanks 

[bikermutt07]

I haven't, but this is what I've gathered here....

Airbrushing will never penetrate like hand dyed, but the general consensus is that the level of control is so much better that it offsets the lack in penetration. Also, everyone seems to thinl the scuffs add character.

This is just my hands off observation. I recently scored a whole bunch of airbrushing stuff so I will have some "hands on" soon.

[fredk]

Airbrushing the dye on can get the same penetration. I've only recently started spraying dye on. Just tried it on some coffee cup cuffs. Make sure your leather is on the wet side of damp, thin the dye a bit more than usual and apply many, many coats

[RegisD]

Okay.  Just to clarify, scuffs have been small and in areas such as around the throat or the toe of the holster.  So far I've just re-applied dye and keep- on- keeping- on.  Like anything else there is a learning curve. I'll get there.  Overall, I really like using the airbrush.  

bikermutt07,  I'm all about the character look, if you saw my personal gunleather you would think I dragged it across some rocks.  

Thanks! 

 

[bikermutt07]

@RegisD Sweet!

[robs456]

On 2018-09-20 at 4:22 AM, RegisD said:

However, I'm a little concerned about whether the dye is getting good penetration into the leather.  A few times I've noticed the dye has rubbed off in areas after I've applied it and while I'm doing something else, like hand stitching.  This has only occurred before I seal it with 50/50 Resolene.  After I seal a piece I hand rub it with Montana Pitch Blend Leather Dressing.  My concern is over the long haul is air brushed dye durable enough?  I would appreciate any experiences from those who have been using an air brush for awhile.   

 

On 2018-09-20 at 5:26 AM, bikermutt07 said:

Airbrushing will never penetrate like hand dyed

As you may know, the very nature of how an airbrush works make it so the dye will never penetrate as well as other forms of application, the best being dip dye of course.
Because the airbrush will vaporize the dye, the tiny tiny drops that make it to the leather will not be able to penetrate, and some may even hit the surface dry and get 'smashed' into the leather due to the air pressure. 
Only if you oversaturate an area, spray so much it gets wet and drips etc, will you get any penetration. But then you may as well dip dye. 
Using fredk's technique may work to improve things but not give 'good' penetration, also spraying layer on layer with an airbrush MAY mean that you put the dye on top of the previous layer to make it more durable yes, but not with better penetration. I've done this but didn't really experiment a lot so if someone could post some cut-throughs it would be great. 

For things that see hard use I dye 'normally' and then only use the AB to apply fades etc on top, but you guys seem to want the rustic look so then things should be fine by airbrushing only.

  

[bikermutt07]

@robs456 thanks for sharing that. I hadn't thought about dying something like normal and then airbrushing it. 

Best of both worlds.

When I start airbrushing I will give that a try.

[robs456]

1 hour ago, bikermutt07 said:

Best of both worlds.

Yup.

[ScoobyNewbie]

I’ve been told to “open the pores” of the leather before dying. I’m confused on what this actually means.

Do I water soak it, use just a little water, like when I’m stamping, or do I use oil? I’ve been told quite a few ways. It seems to change not only person to person, but project to project. 

I had a project that I oiled one part after dying, and other parts before dying and I got what I feel is wildly different effects. 

Can you explain what is meant by “open the pores”?

[RegisD]

robs456,  That is the ticket! Regular application and then an over layer with the airbrush to give it a nice smooth finish or for shading areas .  Your experience is much appreciated I like it! 

Thanks!