The Yin/Yang of life and a leather question

Questions, questions, questions...You're worse than Al
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My label says "Fiebing's Leather Dye". I would guess the oil dye is for use when you intend to have a dull or subdued finish, on previously oil-tanned leather. The "Institutional" is reserved for Doc Pat's use when Jim finally checks himself in - rehab, y'know.

Seriously, the "Institutional" is probably their "shop" mixture for general dry leathers (belts, shoes, handbags). The off-the-shelf variety that I got in the shoe repair shop is probably the same general-use. The shop owner said he was dropping his other brands in favor of Fiebing's due to his own experience with it, which is high praise.

[This message has been edited by Walosi (edited 06-18-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Walosi (edited 06-18-2001).]
 
Yeah, Wal, I know, I'm a cornucopia of questionizations :P Sorry to beat the dog so, but when it comes to the Khuk's house the hippocratic oath comes in, "Do no harm".... Iddn' that right, Doc?
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Seriously, Thanks for your input, Wal, the wealth o' knowledge of the forumites will guarantee us youngin's don't get ourselves into too much trouble ( of course, a certain degree of trouble is amusing
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).

-Craig
 
Craig:

You have struck no puppies
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Just my manic sense running high, as a result of having napped through several UBDOTDs in a row. The fact is, the questions of you "younger" guys give us R.O.F.s a sense of purpose, and if we hear that we have helped, you can add a sense of accomplishment (very hard to come by when places like this make up most of your occupation, and 95% of your social life). Ask away - it keeps us off the street.
 
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It's awfully hard to beat the regular Feibing's leather dye.
I used/use it exclusively for large projects.
I have also been known to use the colored felt pens for detail work on leather carvings.
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It's too bad you can't get them in a permanent medium anymore. The permanent medium pens were I think, alcohol based and you could do a controlled "run" with them resulting in very subtle shadings.

But after using the dye a coating/preservative should be put on the leather.
Cougar may jump in on this one as he is also very knowledgeable about leather work.
I use a "leather lacquer" called Lac-Kote also made by Fiebing's for a finish on sheaths, purses, wallets and the like. It's a preservative and protectorant made especially for leather.
I don't know if Tandy's still has the Tan-Kote (IIRC) anymore or not. It was used on an oil tanned leather they produced at one time in the mid 70's and was also a good product.

There's a little known fact about dyeing leather that I will share with y'all.
When dyeing a leather black it should be dyed Dark Blue First!!!!
I don't know exactly why but the blue makes the black much richer.
Perhaps it's because the leather is the natural tan color?
I dunno. I just know it works.
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Another tip is too not use too much dye since it can build up and make the finish coat look like pure crap.
And that comes from experience.

When I was in my late teens and married and working like a dog to make ends meet I couldn't afford any luxuries and leather tools were a luxury at the time.
I made a nice set of saddle stamps from bolts, bar ends and what not.
When I moved to SO Cal and the little company paper done an article on me and my leather work I started taking orders and was so busy it no longer was fun, but a second job!!!
The one thing I got out of it besides a lot of experience was a really nice set of Tandy's chrome plated saddle stamps as well as other needed tools.
Christmas that year cost me $5.00 total out of pocket expenses.
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I still have both sets of saddle stamps and still use some of the handmade ones because there exclusive to me and unique.
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------------------
Yvsa.

"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
 
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