Leather and dye problems

[jwesthurl]

I recently purchased a double shoulder to make some sheaths. I took a test piece of the leather, wiped it down with some alcohol and proceeded to stain the leather with black eco-flo all in one. It looks like the stain is just sitting on top of the leather and not penetrating. I followed the instructions and used a cotton cloth and rubbed the stain in with a circular motion but I can still see brown showing through the stain. Did I do something wrong? Is there some type of finish on my leather that isn't allowing the stain to penetrate? I didn't think tooling leather had a finish on it. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[sheathmaker]

I can't really be sure because I have never used the Eco-Flo products, but if you check those products haven't been getting rave reviews.....quite the opposite. Also I don't know whether or not your double shoulders are import leather or domestic tannage although with dyes that should not make a lot of difference. I suggest you buy some spirit based dyes or professional oil dye, both made by Feibing's and available where you bought the Eco stuff. Regarding penetration on your particular piece of leather, if you can wet it and the water will penetrate, but the dye won't then it's probably a dye problem and not a finish on the leather.

Paul

 

[John A. Larsen]

When visiting Charlie Ochs at his home in Florida, he said the way he dyes leather black, is to first dye it blue, then black and he said he gets very good results. John

 

[jwesthurl]

I'm not sure about the leather's origin but it does readily accept water. I bought the eco-flo at Hobby Lobby and it's the only dye they had. I'll pick up some different stuff when I can. Thank you!

 

[leatherman]

Yea, penetration with the Eco Flow dyes has been a huge issue, along with trouble getting an even color throughout the piece.

I had to use some lavendar Eco Flow a while back to match a color and its maddening. Like your issue, it simply sits on top with very little penetration and the more you put on to even up the color the more pigment sits on top, it quickly becomes a paint.

I dont know of any way to make that dye penetrate properly, and I dont know why they have not addressed the problem. Fiebings Institutional water based dye has the same problem and its been out a lot longer so I guess there's not much to do but run with it.