Yes tool first. Make sure all moisture is out of the leather, then dye. Don't use a dauber use one of those disposable foamy brushes ya get a much more even coat. If you are wet molding the sheath for fit then dye after that again when the leather is dry.
Full Answer
Does leather need to be conditioned after being dyed?
Since these dyes are oil-based, less moisture is pulled from the leather when drying than with alcohol-based dyes. Alcohol-based dyed leather when then usually benefit from application of a conditioner to restore some of that pliability before a finish is added.
What is leather dyeing?
Often, dyed leathers are coated with a finishing coat, to seal in the dye, prevent it from rubbing off, and protect the leather overall. Oil-based leather dyes penetrate the leather deeply, so the color goes beyond the surface. The colors are usually vibrant.
What happens to leather when it is dyed with alcohol?
However, after the dye is applied and the alcohol dries, it takes some of the moisture out of the leather along with it. Leathers dyed with alcohol-based types will then usually benefit from application of a leather conditioner to restore some of that pliability and the oils within the piece.
Is it safe to dye leather with water?
Water-based leather dyes don’t penetrate the leather as deeply than other dye types, and the colors aren’t usually as vibrant. However, they are generally less toxic than the other types. As with most dyed leather, even though these dyes include moisture, it can be helpful to coat with a leather finish after dyeing.
Can you tool dyed leather?
You simply can't tool, carve, or stamp Latigo or oil softened leather like you tried to use. You need to start with Vegetable Tanned Tooling Leather. It's almost white, and almost hard when you buy it. Then wet it damp, but not soaking wet.
What do you put on leather after you dye it?
Condition + Finish the leather. - After the final coat of dye has completely dried, it's time to apply a wax based conditioner. Leather conditioner will re-hydrate the leather from any drying caused by the dyeing process or the dye itself, and it will help seal the color.
Do you wet leather before you dye it?
Some leather workers prefer dyeing leather wet, and some while it's dry. When wet, the dye can be more evenly pulled into the fibers and provide for a smooth, even color.
How do you prepare leather for tooling?
1:143:39Leather Preparation For Tooling - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnother good idea to help with your leather preparation is to apply rubber cement to the back ofMoreAnother good idea to help with your leather preparation is to apply rubber cement to the back of your leather and to a piece of thin cardboard.
Do you oil leather after dying?
After the dye dries for an hour or more, apply neatsfoot oil leather conditioner to both surfaces of leather. The oil can be applied with a foam applicator that you use for cutting into the ceiling when painting. A sponge or cloth will also work for application. This helps prevent the leather from drying out.
Why is my leather dye rubbing off?
Occasionally dyes from leather garments (jackets, trousers, gloves, belts, bags, shoes) rub off and discolour other materials. Sometimes it's just fluff from suede or nubuck, but often it is caused by dyes which have not been sufficiently fixed to the leather.
How do you stain leather tooling?
12:3316:21Learning Leathercraft with Jim Linnell – Lesson 9: Dyeing and FinishingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLet that dry overnight. Then we came back and we put a coat of super Sheen on a pretty heavy coat.MoreLet that dry overnight. Then we came back and we put a coat of super Sheen on a pretty heavy coat. We let that dry. And then we put a second coat on a light coat. And we've let that dry.
What do you clean leather with before dyeing?
To properly clean leather for dyeing, you will need to wipe off any lingering dust and grime on the leather. Wipe it off gently with a dry smooth cloth. Next is to get rid of any body oil that you may have left when you were using the leather item. You may either wipe it off with a soft clean cloth.
How do you stop leather dye from transferring?
1:128:28The Leather Element: Preventing Dye Rub Off - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn my shop after I die I'm going to clean my straps or my dyed piece with a rag lightly oiled withMoreIn my shop after I die I'm going to clean my straps or my dyed piece with a rag lightly oiled with neat's-foot.
How do you keep leather from stretching when tooling?
0:002:43Keep Your Tooling Leather From Stretching - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd I'm just gonna run some packing tape on. This. This is gonna prevent it from stretching. TooMoreAnd I'm just gonna run some packing tape on. This. This is gonna prevent it from stretching. Too much it might stretch a little bit. But it's pretty much gonna keep it true to what it's supposed to.
How long do you soak leather?
Just soak the leather your using. To speed things up, you can work the water into the leather with your hands by rubbing the backside of the leather. Generally, I would let the pieces of leather soak for about 30 minutes and then use them.
Is tooling leather hard?
Tooling leather is a lot easier than you'd think, and the results can be beautiful. All you need are a few basic tools, some vegetable tanned leather, and a sponge with some water.
How do you keep dye from rubbing off?
The only real ways to prevent color transferring and fading are the following: Use a Color Fixative: Treat your fabrics with a color fixative. I use Retayne or Rit Dye Fixative as they reduce color bleeding in fabrics where the dye has not been properly fixed or washed out.
Is there a sealer for leather?
Top Coat Satin Finish Sealer Use on Any Leather or Vinyl or After You Have Used Leather Max by Blend It On Refinish, Keep it All Safe. Amazon's Choice highlights highly rated, well-priced products available to ship immediately.
What is a leather finisher?
The purpose of leather finishing is to embellish the leather, to give it a specific colour and shine. It helps to protect the leather. The finishing of leather affects the look, the feel and the strength of the leather. We distinguish 3 leather finishes: aniline, semi-aniline and pigmented.
How long does it take for leather to dry after dyeing?
You should allow for approximately 24 hours of dry time for Pro. Regular Leather Dye can dry in as little as 10 minutes and be sealed and finished almost right away. These dry times can vary wildly depending on where you live. If you're in an extremely humid area, drying can take longer.
What is dyeing leather?
Dyeing leather is the process of applying a colored pigment mixed with a base (usually alcohol, oil, or water) to leather fibers of leather such that the visible color of the leather changes. Some dyes penetrate deeply into the leather fibers.
Why do people dye leather?
Generally, leather is dyed to achieve a preferred visual look. Sometimes a leather worker is crafting a piece and wants it to be a particular shade of color. Or, they might have some natural leather they’d like to change into a colored leather. So, they learn how to dye leather.
What is oil based leather dye?
Oil-Based Leather Dye. Oil-based leather dyes penetrate the leather deeply, so the color goes beyond the surface. The colors are usually vibrant. Since these dyes are oil-based, less moisture is pulled from the leather when drying than with alcohol-based dyes.
What is carnauba wax?
Carnauba wax is a formula that can be applied to leather. It is usually a blend of waxes and conditioners. When applied, it serves to condition the leather while also providing a protective layer that helps resist dirt, grime, and moisture.
How many colors to dye a piece darker?
When manually dyeing a piece darker, it’s usually best to transition through at least two dye colors. This helps the material take the dye better than a straight light-to-dark process.
What is VOC in leather dye?
(VOCs), volatile organic compounds , are chemicals that can be toxic in large amounts or with prolonged exposure. Most leather dyes have VOCs. Some are available with a low VOC formula, making it a little safer and healthier when working with them.
How to protect a table from dye spills?
Usually, a table outside on a nice day works great. Covering the surface to protect it from dye spills is recommended. An inexpensive solution is to cut plastic trash bags along the sides, and unfold it into a flat, plastic barrier. This protects the table, and makes for easy cleanup later. Any flat surface can do.
