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Market Square => Arms and Armor => Topic started by: Sir Martin on September 26, 2011, 12:11:48 PM

Title: Leather Dye question
Post by: Sir Martin on September 26, 2011, 12:11:48 PM
Greetings to all.  I purchased a sword, scabbard and baldric for my knight garb.  The leather on this baldric has a smooth top and a rough bottom. The black dye doesn't seem to be "set" properly on the underside and it rubs off on my garb.  I've rubbed it a few times with old socks or other soft cotton cloths and removed quite a bit of the dye, but it is still there in quantities large enough to stain my garb. Do any of you know of a way to remove the excess dye so that it does not stain my light colored garb anymore?  I don't seem to have this problem with the scabbard.  It is a harder and smoother leather and the dye in it does not rub off on clothing.  I will be attending TRF in a few weeks so if you know of any leather workers there that I can contact for help I will certainly give them some business if I am not able to fix this myself.  Thank you for any help you may provide.
Title: Re: Leather Dye question
Post by: Auryn on September 26, 2011, 12:18:36 PM
Sorry you are having that problem Sir Martin,
unfortunately its common with unsealed leather.
My recommendation as a leather worker is two fold.
Take another cotton sock or rag that you don't care about and rub some more
and 2
you need to get yourself some acrylic resolene (you can get it on ebay for like $8 a bottle) and apply several coats_ I would give it at least 3 coats but not more than 5. ( A small sponge is my favorite application tool- one that you won't be using for anything else, before or after- you can get a multipack of sponges at a dollar store)
The acrylic resolene will give you a watersafe seal that will stop the dye from bleeding out.
This process will take a couple of hours as you have to let it dry completely between coats
Title: Re: Leather Dye question
Post by: crazyrennie on September 26, 2011, 01:13:54 PM
You could also try your local Tandy-if there is one in you neck of the woods-

Crazy
Title: Re: Leather Dye question
Post by: Rogue Hidesmith on September 26, 2011, 02:51:26 PM
Quote from: Auryn on September 26, 2011, 12:18:36 PM
you need to get yourself some acrylic resolene (you can get it on ebay for like $8 a bottle) and apply several coats_ I would give it at least 3 coats but not more than 5. ( A small sponge is my favorite application tool- one that you won't be using for anything else, before or after- you can get a multipack of sponges at a dollar store)
The acrylic resolene will give you a watersafe seal that will stop the dye from bleeding out.
This process will take a couple of hours as you have to let it dry completely between coats

I'd also recommend Leather Sheen. I use it as a final finish to seal my masks. It is commonly available in spray cans at Tandy Leather.