alternate means for dying leather

[Joshua]

I've bit the bullet and bought some cowhide (belly) today at Tandy. I'm going to make a sheath tonight, but the next project will be a sporran.

I was thinking about doing a high-gloss cantle.

Back in the day, I used to turn cherry red docs into "oxblood" by spit-shining them with black shoe polish. I ended up with a burnished red finish that was absolutely gorgeous. Is this possible with light tanned leather? If it's polished enough to bead water but not bleed finish to neighboring fabrics, would shoe polish work for a cantle? My end result, hopefully, is a shiny tobacco finished cantle on top of rabbit fur, with braided tassels on the side.

[Nighthawk]

First thing I would recommend is to use Feibings mineral spirit based dye. It absorbs into the leather really fast and stays put. However, it can bleed over time. Second thing- give it a coating of wax. I have gotten really good results with this:

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/s.../2180-117.aspx

As a final top coat, I like this:

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/s...s/2205-00.aspx

With the wax, I put a layer on top of the leather and let it dry. Takes about 5 minutes or so. Then I use a piece of sheep skin to buff it. After than, just spray the sheen. Should do what you want.

Also, something that a lot of people miss is good edge finishing. If you're interested, I have a tutorial posted on FaceBook here:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fb...00002109169454

Good luck! Make sure to keep us posted on your progress.

[Damocles]

i use water base dye they have a built in wax that keeps the dye from bleeding in to adjacent work after i compleat the work i then give the hole thing a coat of Atom wax that seals every thing so much so if you do a good job you could drope it in a bath tube and it would float not that iv tryed that but i have spieled on a belt that was waxed and it was totally fine don't forget to do the backs of things unless you are going to put fabric on them the glue will not stick to wax and it would kill the fabrics looks

[artificer]

Personally I like Fiebings Oil dyes. I think they give a much more consistent tone than the spirit dyes. They also don't dry the leather as much as the alcohol based dyes.

IF you were looking for a really old-school method, you could vinegaroon (for black) or use acorn/walnuts for brown. An internet search will show you the way for either of these.

[tyger]

....use acorn/walnuts for brown.

Amen!