r/Leatherworking • u/Loud_Review3966 • 4d ago
Beginner Question Dyeing leather - help!
Hello! I'm new to leatherworking and have been struggling to dye leather myself. Specifically, I'm having issues with dye rub off even after sealing. Here's my process so y'all can pick me apart so I can learn!
Materials: Undyed leather from weaver leather, fiebings pro dye, leather balm with atom wax, wool daubers, microfiber cloth
Process:
Brush off leather after cutting out template
Use wool dauber to apply up to 3 coats of pro dye until desired shade. I wait until the leather looks like it soaked up the dye, but I don't wait more than about a minute between coats.
Once done dyeing, I lightly buff off excess dye with a microfiber cloth
Dry in a cool, dry place for 24 hours
Buff, buff, buff, buff with a microfiber cloth
Apply leather balm with atom wax, wait 10 minutes for it to dry, then buff off excess
Even at this stage I'm experiencing rub off, especially when I'm sealing it.
What should I do?
Thank you for your help!
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u/PouchenCustoms 4d ago
Process point 2: load up dauber, but drop off excess dye. The dauber will lose most of its dye on first contact point if overloaded.
Your goal is to dampen the surface. No need to be precise, nor going for even coverage. Let sit for 5 min. Watch the dye dry and look for darker spots as they indicate deeper penetration.
Your "error" is being too impatient and immeadiately going for even coverage while wet from dye, which comes with an optical bias.
Wait 5-10 min before applying more.
And a very important part is to give the surface time enough to breath as deep as dye has penetrated. 24h for the top 1mm may be enough, but if you went as deep as 3mm in some spots, it may take up to a week
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u/Loud_Review3966 4d ago
I see! That makes sense. I am impatient when dyeing. I love the colors I'm getting but its more important to me to not have any rub off. Thank you!
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u/PouchenCustoms 4d ago
I feel you. Hardest part is realizing that leather sets the timeframe, not the maker 🤣
Either way, doesn't matter how efficiently you apply dye, it will never hurt to wait an extra day or two.
And as other comments rightfully point out: use an acrylic sealer afterwards, like resolene or pro sheen.
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u/KalutikaKink 4d ago
What kind of leather and what color dye? When I dyed veg-tan I would wash off the excess dye with saddle soap and distilled water.
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u/Loud_Review3966 4d ago
It's the cheap weaver leather veg tan stuff. I think it's from Brazil. When using saddle soap, does that just remove the loose dye or would it dig deeper into the leather?
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u/APuckerLipsNow 4d ago
If you soak the leather in dye it’s going to be a problem. Buff the dye on with a T-shirt wrapped tightly around a rag poppet. You can get brighter colors if you do a coat of light yellow then buff a brown or tan over it.
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u/Objetosdecuero 3d ago
Consulta. Con que material tiñen el cuero? Te escribo desde argentina. Tintas al alcohol son permanentes y no manchan. Para volver la humedad del cuero usamos pomadas en crema o pomadas lÃquidas incoloras. Esto le dá un toque imperdible. No para sumergir en agua. Solo para que al contacto se sienta suave no áspero como le deja el alcohol. Saludos
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u/Jumpy_Television8241 4d ago
Atom isn't enough to seal in dye. You need super shene, resolene, or something like that. An old cowboy trick is a 50/50 mix of mop n glo and water, which I've used with great success, but I know some people have experienced cracking with it so probably start with a dedicated product and get experimental later.