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The Sheath/Holster Makers Forum This is the place to discuss all forms of sheath and holster making.

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  #1  
Old 07-31-2008, 09:20 AM
Brokenhand Brokenhand is offline
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Question about dying my project

Hello All. I am a new poster to the forum. I have a question I'm sure someone can answer.
I made a new pancake style holster yesterday. I cut out the pieces and sewed them together. Sanded the edges and got them all smooth. I then wet the leather and wet formed the pistol to the holster. Got it all fitted up and let dry for a while, and while still damp I dyed it with Fieblings pro oil dye. It came out kind of streaky, and not what I wanted. Should I have dyed it first and then wet formed? If so should I dye and let the leather completely dry and then come back and wet form? I went in the order I did because I thought wetting the leather after dying might make it fade or worse. Please advise.
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  #2  
Old 07-31-2008, 10:54 AM
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It probably came out streaky because you did not deglaze it, rub it down with some rubbing alcohol, and try to redye.


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  #3  
Old 07-31-2008, 01:39 PM
RICK LOWE RICK LOWE is offline
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Streaking sure could come from not de-glazing before dyeing. I use acetone since it's always close at hand. This simply removes surface residue from the tanning process. It is usually easier to dye prior to assembly than after. Try taking your leather, after de-glazing, and really get it soaking wet. The apply the dye liberally. You will very seldom, if ever, get any splotches or streaking. After doing your final assembly and sewing, you can re-wet the leather for forming to the gun or knife. Remember to use a sealer (TanKote, BagKote, etc.) inside and out.
Rick
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  #4  
Old 07-31-2008, 09:40 PM
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Andrew Garrett Andrew Garrett is offline
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I always clean with alcohol and dye after assembly via the dauber method.

...seems to work well.


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  #5  
Old 07-31-2008, 10:23 PM
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What grade/quality of leather did you use? Some "bargin" leather will stain unevenly no matter what you do due to random hard and soft areas. That's why they make the black dye.


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  #6  
Old 08-01-2008, 06:43 AM
Mike T. Mike T. is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brokenhand
Hello All. I am a new poster to the forum. I have a question I'm sure someone can answer.
I made a new pancake style holster yesterday. I cut out the pieces and sewed them together. Sanded the edges and got them all smooth. I then wet the leather and wet formed the pistol to the holster. Got it all fitted up and let dry for a while, and while still damp I dyed it with Fieblings pro oil dye. It came out kind of streaky, and not what I wanted. Should I have dyed it first and then wet formed? If so should I dye and let the leather completely dry and then come back and wet form? I went in the order I did because I thought wetting the leather after dying might make it fade or worse. Please advise.
For perfect, streak-free dye jobs I dye the leather while it's in its flat stage. When the leather in its dry state it's like blotting paper (anyone around here old enough to remember that?) and therefore takes dye too fast and comes out blotchy. We need to remove this ability to soak up the dye quickly from it. Soak the leather in warm water for about five minutes while you're loading up a dauber with lots of dye. I use sheepskin stapled to 2" square pieces of wood.

With the surface of the leather runny-wet with water, flood on a coat of dye. Swirl the dauber all over the leather's surface and keep it swirling in random strokes and movements. Keep going until the leather is the desired shade. If the dauber dries out, you didn't have enough dye on it.

When the leather is to the desired shade, wipe gently with a dry, clean rag (in swirling movements) and let it dry overnight. Next day, buff off the surface with another dry rag.

Now you have a streak-free dyejob. By the way, this method is for Feibing's spirit-based dye.

Of course to mould the leather I re-soak and this removes only a very minor amount of dye. It's just enough to tint my soak water and in no way affects the dyejob.

Edit - those who stamp, carve or otherwise emboss their leather (I'm not one of them) tell me that this method won't work for them. I guess they need to stamp the leather before dyeing. Plus maybe they need to use more than one shade of dye to get a desire effect.


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Last edited by Mike T.; 08-12-2008 at 03:49 PM.
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  #7  
Old 08-02-2008, 07:59 AM
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Mike, good to see you back posting. the link below concerns you, you might want to take a look.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=572928

Paul


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  #8  
Old 08-02-2008, 10:08 AM
Brokenhand Brokenhand is offline
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Thank you all for your suggestions. I will put them to use on my next sheath.
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  #9  
Old 08-02-2008, 10:54 AM
Mike T. Mike T. is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sheathmaker
Mike, good to see you back posting. the link below concerns you, you might want to take a look.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=572928

Paul
Hi Paul! Even though my sheath production has dropped off the face of the earth since my (real job) retirement a couple of years ago I still take a trip through this site daily. I had lots of spare time pre-retirement! Thanks for the link to the other forum. I rarely go there.


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  #10  
Old 08-02-2008, 01:01 PM
Brokenhand Brokenhand is offline
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One more question about using dye

Thanks again for all of your replys. I'm going to try Mike T's method next. I just want to be sure about the step of letting the leather dry after using the dye. I assume that you would let it dry flat, on a piece of wood maybe? Seems like I have seen leather mildew rather quickly and want to be sure I do it right.
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  #11  
Old 08-02-2008, 09:34 PM
Mike T. Mike T. is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brokenhand
I just want to be sure about the step of letting the leather dry after using the dye. I assume that you would let it dry flat, on a piece of wood maybe?
I let it dry on the cardboard I dye it on.

Quote:
Seems like I have seen leather mildew rather quickly and want to be sure I do it right.
In 25 years of damp leather I've yet to see any mildew.


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  #12  
Old 08-03-2008, 01:53 PM
Brokenhand Brokenhand is offline
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Mike, Thanks a lot for your help. I'm gonna try your way on next sheath.
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