Windrider Report post Posted August 19, 2021 Hi all, I am new to the forum, and have newbie question. I am very new to leather crafting and have been reading a lot of posts on this forum but can't seem to find a post that relates exactly the this issue. There are some similar issues but I am not certain they are the same root cause. Basically, I have made a belt from an un-dyed belt blank (double butt, 3.8m thick). I dyed it with a water-based dye. It came out looking great initially. The very smooth and glossy. However, after wearing it two times, some hairline cracks have developed on about 1/2 of the belt (See picks). It's understandable that creases will develop in a belt like this (and to a certain extent it adds to the character of the piece over time), but I'm not sure what has happened here is really desirable. My thoughts are: - Dye didn't penetrate deep enough (not enough dye), so when the fibres are stretched, the lighter un-dyed colour is showing through. - Leather is too dry .This blank was hanging up in an air-conditioned shop andI didn't oil it or treat it at all. - Bad piece of leather. I feel this is less likely. Would really appreciate your insights on what I might have done wrong here and whether it can be remedied in some way. Thanks in advance!!! D32C19C5-8F8F-42E8-B929-82040646927F.heic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LatigoAmigo Report post Posted August 19, 2021 (edited) 23 minutes ago, Windrider said: (See picks) Oops. Can't see the pics. This is a .heic format file; on this forum .jpg format works best. I Photoshopped the image and reduced the size. Edited August 19, 2021 by LatigoAmigo Added image Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PastorBob Report post Posted August 19, 2021 Thanks @LatigoAmigo for fixing the photo. What process did you use to dye the belt? Dipping, dauber? Any top coat applied like Super Sheen? I would think it's not enough dye or like you said, no NFO (neatsfoot oil) applied. Welcome to the forum! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted August 19, 2021 Couple things, Windrider . . . one is the oil thing . . . ALWAYS add one light coat to belts and holsters especially and things like purse straps . . . suspenders . . . anything that will be flexed a lot. Second . . . I'm not "slamming" whoever you got your belt blank from . . . but my personal adventures with them is they are cut from second rate leather . . . and although I might buy one for me . . . I'd never pass one on to a customer. Too much of "premaide" blanks and stuff is cut from a less than optimum hide . . . which is of course the only way that they can be offered for the low prices they get. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handstitched Report post Posted August 19, 2021 56 minutes ago, Dwight said: but my personal adventures with them is they are cut from second rate leather The same thing has happened to me using ' old leather ' thats been hanging around a bit too long in my workshop, using up scraps, odds & ends of leather etc. that may have dried out a bit. A good dose of oil does help. @Windrider welcome to the forum btw , we're all pretty normal around here HS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Windrider Report post Posted August 22, 2021 Thanks for the insights everyone, much appreciated. @LatigoAmigoThanks a lot for helping with the pic. @PastorBobThe water based dye was just rubbed on using a sponge. Two coats only as the dye had dried out a bit and was a little viscous (which may also mean that it didn't saturate the fibres deep enough. No finish was applied. Gotta source some NFO before my next project!! Thanks again. WR Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
