Dye question

[Blue Sky]

A friend of mine has recently acquired a used pistol holster and would like to dye it black. Does anyone see any problem or risk with this?



Thanks for your help.

 

[leatherman]

It truly depends on what kind of finish is on the leather.

I would take it to a boot/shoe or saddle shop and let them look it over.

wax and natural finishes: its possible.

acrylic and laquer finishes: its not likely, but not impossible

 

[Blue Sky]

Is there any way for the layman to tell the difference between these kinds of finishes?

 

[sheathmaker]

You might be well advised to use a product, Feibing's #12 Deglazer, available at Leather Factory/Tandy or any retailer who stocks Feibing's products. Use it to strip any finish on the holster completely. Make sure the holster is completely dry and then apply a LIGHT coat of Pure Neatsfoot Oil, and then immediately apply the black dye. The oil will help carry the dye into the fibers. An alternative method would be to strip, dry, and then wet the holster thoroughly with plain water and then immediately apply the dye. This method could have a detromental effect to the wet molding of the holster and you might have to remold it. In either case you should probably apply at least two or three coats of dye with thorough drying and buffing between coats. When the whole thing is finished I would recommend you apply Feibing's TanKote and a sealer. This is just the way I would approach it, others may have a different preference.

Paul

 

[leatherman]

Will the deglazer remove an acrylic or laquer finish? If it does then its what I've been looking for!

 

[sheathmaker]

Don't know about acrylic because that's in the same category as edge coat, but it will take off laquer as in NeatLac.

Paul