Something is off with this leather...?

[HondoMan]

Right then,

ordered some vegtan butt, which arrived this morning.  It appears spot on and I've never had an issue with this tannery before.  I cut off two strips for a belt in the making and dyed both.  I immediately noticed an odd colouring and marbling. I just completed a dark blue belt about two weeks ago without issue using a different leather.  It near on appears purple and this marbling effect...  I did a test piece of the blue and it looks as it should.  I need to contact the tannery, obviously.  

This marbling effect...  is that from the tannage or the bull itself?  The fact that dark blue (Pro Dye) is leaving this a slight purple, it makes me wonder on the tannage.  I am unsure what caused this, hence asking here.

Cheers!

Edited September 9, 2021 by HondoMan

[TomG]

The texture appears to be marbling from the fat in the leather.
As for the purple hue, buff it out, and hit it with some leather balm or resolene on a test piece or the buckle end that will be on the underside of the belt.
I have seen this before with black. Make sure that you have shaken the dye well before applying. I have noticed that the dyestuffs tend to settle out with black more than other colors.

 

[HondoMan]

4 minutes ago, TomG said:

I have seen this before with black. Make sure that you have shaken the dye well before applying. I have noticed that the dyestuffs tend to settle out with black more than other colors.

I shake all liquids before use.  That's not the issue.  As one can see, the black did it as well, as you mentioned.  I can't sell the belt this way, unless I can sort out the marbling.  I'll cut another piece off, dye it and see what can be done to even the colour out.  If not, I need to contact the tannery.

The info on the fats in the leather possibly causing the marbling is helpful.

Cheers!

[PastorBob]

I have this happen when I use imported veg tanned leather (like from Asian countries).  When I use HO, I don't have that issue.

[TomG]

Try the buffing and top coating to see if the purple goes away.
As for the marbling, have you bought this particular cut before?
I have a side of VT that I just bought and it has the same fatty texture near the belly. I can see it before dying. But, my customers seem to like the effect, so it's not an issue on my end.
 

 

[GrampaJoel]

The issue you are having is not uncommon in the lesser priced pieces of leather.

it is actually the fat showing through a thin layer of coloring.

it might take several applications of color to solve the problem.

try applying a sealer to the leather and then color it.

I hopes this helps.

[Hardrada]

Or sell the belt to a geographer/meteorologist as a mammatus clouds belt.

[buzzardbait]

natural stretch marks in the leather will cause that.

[Cumberland Highpower]

Hmm, It's usually when I order leather tanned in Mexico (Chahin via Weaver) that I see that.   Is your leather from Mexico/Chahin?  I'd say it's a sign of lower quality tanning. 2 coats of dye might cover it.  sometimes with Feibings Oil dye 2 coats are what you need. (Brown especially).

Edited September 10, 2021 by Cumberland Highpower

[billybopp]

20 hours ago, HondoMan said:

I shake all liquids before use.  That's not the issue.  As one can see, the black did it as well, as you mentioned.  I can't sell the belt this way, unless I can sort out the marbling.  I'll cut another piece off, dye it and see what can be done to even the colour out.  If not, I need to contact the tannery.

The info on the fats in the leather possibly causing the marbling is helpful.

Cheers!

It sucks that that happened.  While the leather might not be suitable for your intended purpose, it is interesting as is, and with the right hardware somebody will love it and buy it!

- Bill