Can you lighten leather?

I soaked it all day and it leeched off a LOT of dye. I flipped it once. Looks like this:



I dumped out the dye filled alcohol and put fresh in there. I’ll let it go all night tonight and all day tomorrow, scrub it as good as I can, let it dry, and see how she looks.
 
AntDog said:
I soaked it all day and it leeched off a LOT of dye. I flipped it once. Looks like this:



I dumped out the dye filled alcohol and put fresh in there. I’ll let it go all night tonight and all day tomorrow, scrub it as good as I can, let it dry, and see how she looks.
Click to expand...
Looks like you’re making roast beef! 😆
 
You could bottle that up, then when you have a sheath that's too light............. :D
 
I would say that alcohol is saturated. Use some fresh stuff.
 
Welp, I’m officially calling it. I’m not putting more into this than I already have.

Looks like it did lighten it some. I’ll let it dry and post pictures before I condition it. As much dye came out of it I’d think it would be nearly bone white by now but it’s still brown.
 
Here it is after drying overnight and all day.



It’s much lighter than it was when wet, and a lot lighter than before I did anything to it. If it’s even lighter than this when it’s completely dry I’ll consider this a win.

It still smells strongly of alcohol so I know it has a ways to go til it’s totally dry.
 
AntDog said:
Here it is after drying overnight and all day.



It’s much lighter than it was when wet, and a lot lighter than before I did anything to it. If it’s even lighter than this when it’s completely dry I’ll consider this a win.

It still smells strongly of alcohol so I know it has a ways to go til it’s totally dry.
Click to expand...
IMO, it looks much better!
 
I’ll let it dry til it doesn’t smell like alcohol anymore, condition it and post pics.

That Venetian Shoe Cream is really good conditioner. I’ve tried quite a few in anddition to all kinds of other stuff and it’s the only thing I use anymore besides Bick 4 leather cleaner.

I have some Thursday Vanguard boots that are made from Horween chromexcel leather. This is them the day I got them (with no conditioner):

1764301614258.jpeg

This is the same boots after 8 months of wear and probably two applications of that VSC (the last one fresh, and shined up with a horsehair brush):

1764301728760.jpeg
 
It was finally all the way dry this morning, so I put on two applications of VSC, let it soak in a few hours, and gave it a good buff. I am very well pleased with the results!

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The two darker areas did not come off as they are patina. I didn’t want them to! Love how it looks.

1764533137651.jpeg

It closely matches my belt, boots, and my wallet (pictured here). It darn sure beats the “nondescript, streaky, dusty doodoo dark chocolate” shade it started.

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Big thanks to all you fellas for the advice and help and for following the thread. I’m very happy with the sheath.
 
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