Leather Dye Question

W

WadeH

Joined
Apr 24, 2006
Messages
875
I think I might be doing something wrong with the Eco-Flo dye, I think it comes from Tandy, but I was able to find it at Hobby Lobby. I needed some brown and could not figure out how to make any and really did not have time to order it online so I got this. Now that I have it I figure I should go ahead and use it up. The problem is getting it to make an even coat and color. The couple of knife sheaths that I just dyed came out looking pretty good overall, but it was a look that made them look older or like an antique sheath. The color was kind of streaked. It is kind of hard to explain. I cleaned the leather with alcohol then I dampened it some and the applied the dye. It was put on with a dabber(sp) and then wipped off. So do I just do not know how to do it right or is this common with this Eco-Flo dye? Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.
 
Problems have been surfacing all over with this Eco-flow dye.Every leather working forum I have been on has touched on this.Some have had OK results but most have streaking problems and problems mixing with other finishes.It also comes off with any kind of moisture.I myself haven't tried it nor will I due to the problems I have seen.Let the treehuggers keep it, and their sheaths will match their Tie-dyed clothes.Dave:)
 
I'm with you DC...this Eco-Flo is a dead horse by now, and I would hope that anyone that has done any leather work would know about it by now....ECO FLO sucks....but it's here to stay and if you keep going to the same source for it....you'll keep getting the same results.
I don't know (yet) what the solution is....I'm still pissed that Tandy did away with PRO DYE....
 
I have never used anything but Feibing's Professional Oil Dye and it only comes in Med. Brown, Dark brown and Black so you're limited there. As far as I know Tandy/LF still carries that, at least here in Texas. Since I started using Wicket&Craig leather pre dyed from the tannery I have not used dye for anything except edges. Feibings also makes their regular spirit dyes and also 'institutional dyes" which are formulated for use in prisons and other institutions where alcohol based formulas could pose a problem. Tandy/LF still carries those also, but again the colors are limited to just the basics.

As far as Eco Flo, I have not, nor will I try it. I have the same opinion for the Acrylic "paints" and finishes. My advice, for what it's worth, is for any of you using Eco Flo with less than satisfactory results just pitch it in the trash and go to whatever your "plan B" is. Mine is already stated above. Tannery pre dyed leather and neatsfoot oil and TanKote finish. That seems to be accepted pretty well by my clients.

Paul
 
Thanks everyone. I had no idea that the stuff was that bad. I guess I was lucky that it turned out ok. I will get me some Fiebings on the way. I really appreciate the input, mark it up to one of those things called lessons learned. :)
 
sheathmaker said:
...Since I started using Wicket&Craig leather pre dyed from the tannery I have not used dye for anything except edges....
Click to expand...

Hey Paul,

How does the pre-dyed leather tool? Does a swivel knife cut deeper than the dye goes, thus require some sort of touching up?

Thanks, Phil
 
Phil generally the drum dyed colors from the tannery go beyond the top grain so a swivel knife cut will pretty well stay in the dyed area as far as depth goes. It is possible to cut deeper here and there but the beveling almost always covers that nicely and when you put the final finishes on the operation covers anything you might have been concerned about.

A word about tooling and how it looks when completed. Black is the worst of the bunch. You seem to lose about 1/4 of your tooling depth when everything settles out. Dark Brown is next worst , but with only a slight loss of definition. Chestnut and Russet are equal and both tool beautifully.

Paul
 
Thanks Paul!

I sure love looking and looking and looking at your work! Maybe we'll cross paths some day.

Until then...all the best, Phil
 
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