How to dye leather sporran

[pipesndrumsnun]

Hey, there!

Is there any way to turn a black SWK day sporran brown? I've dyed a brown leather belt black before, but am unsure if it would work on this newly imagined project?

What say yee?

[Panache]

Sister,

Like you I have only dyed lighter colored leather dark.

If you haven't already purchased the supplies may I suggest another way of adding brown to this sporran. Hobby/craft stores will often have rabbit pelts available for a modest fee ($5). If one could find a brown rabbit pelt you simply remove the tassles, cut the pelt to fit the front of the sporran, glue it in place, poke holes in the pelt to replace the tassles, and Bob's your uncle you have a new sporran. I suggested this before in an earlier thread and ChromeScholar used the idea to dress up a plain Stillwater Sporran.

Cheers

Jamie

[Hachiman]

Hey, there!

Is there any way to turn a black SWK day sporran brown? I've dyed a brown leather belt black before, but am unsure if it would work on this newly imagined project?

What say yee?

Hi Pipesndrumsnun

To quote Rev. Lovejoy (from the Simpsons cartoon): "yes, with an 'if'..and no, with a 'but'."

In my experience with leatherworking, when it comes to dye-ing something, you can go from "light to dark" but you can't go from "dark to light". So if you wanted to dye the sporran, it won't work.

However, there are leather paints available which may achieve a similar result. There's a few drawbacks to leather paints though... unlike a dye, paints don't change the color of the fibers of the leather. Instead, it's an actual layer of paint over the leather (just like painting wood). However, leather-specific paints will eventually flake off, resulting in a rather poor appearance. And, unlike wood, you can't sand the paints off - and leather doesn't like strong solvents.

So, I guess it's up to you. If you're willing to accept that you may have a flakey-looking sporran in a few years time, then go for a good-quality leather paint. Certainly, don't try to dye it a lighter shade...

Or, take the opportunity to either a) buy a new one, or b) cover the black leather with a brown fur (as Panache just posted - I shoulda known I couldn't type faster than a Moderator! )

regards
Hachiman

[pipesndrumsnun]

Thanks for the advice, guys!!

[Moosedog]

Yep to both of the above. The Stillwater sporrans are probably drum-dyed--meaning the leather is saturated with dye during the processing, so lightening up the dye would be almost impossible without doing horrible things to the leather.... Leather paint (usually an acrylic base) would work but would give a different look. I would vote for the bunny dress-up, you can get a brown rabbit pelt for about $4-6 that would have sufficient size to cover the front panel. Or perhaps you know someone who makes sporrans?

Moosedog

[Bugbear]

Hi Pipesndrumsnun,
They have you covered on the advice, so I'll say that I hope the way opens for you to end up with one of the brown Stillwater sporrans or even something nicer than that.

[James MacMillan]

Hey sis - I've never tried this stuff - but one search showed ..this.. for changing a leather color to a lighter shade.

[Kilderoy]

To dye leather all you need is good leather, time, leather dye, and a bit of an artistic eye. The way the dye will look on the leather all depends upon how you apply it. Here are some pointers to getting started.

First, it is extremely important that you get the leather ready for dying. When leather items are created, a variety of different types of protective surfacing is put directly onto the leather. This is supposed to keep it from coloring from the sun or from repetitive uses. Sometimes people put a protective covering on themselves, such as a spray to help to keep the rain off of their expensive leather jacket. Before you apply any leather dye, you have to get all of these products off of the leather. If you do not take the finishing product off of the leather before dying it, you will likely end up with a mutilated, unattractive piece of leather. To remove any surface finishes, get a deglazer. One of the more popular deglazers is known as Fiebing’s deglazer. This product goes on with a damp rag or a slightly wet sponge. When you are putting the deglazer on, you will be able to see the finish coming off. Do not be alarmed if the color of the leather changes, because it probably will. Remember that you are dying it, and that it will be a totally different color when you are done.

[Donnie]

Hi Pipesndrumsnun

To quote Rev. Lovejoy (from the Simpsons cartoon): "yes, with an 'if'..and no, with a 'but'."

In my experience with leatherworking, when it comes to dye-ing something, you can go from "light to dark" but you can't go from "dark to light". So if you wanted to dye the sporran, it won't work.

However, there are leather paints available which may achieve a similar result. There's a few drawbacks to leather paints though... unlike a dye, paints don't change the color of the fibers of the leather. Instead, it's an actual layer of paint over the leather (just like painting wood). However, leather-specific paints will eventually flake off, resulting in a rather poor appearance. And, unlike wood, you can't sand the paints off - and leather doesn't like strong solvents.

So, I guess it's up to you. If you're willing to accept that you may have a flakey-looking sporran in a few years time, then go for a good-quality leather paint. Certainly, don't try to dye it a lighter shade...

Or, take the opportunity to either a) buy a new one, or b) cover the black leather with a brown fur (as Panache just posted - I shoulda known I couldn't type faster than a Moderator! )

regards
Hachiman

This has been my experience also, Light to dark is the only way to DYE leather.

[Mark Keeney]

There was a time you could get shoe spray paint to paint your shoes. I used to use it because I was hard on shoes and I would scuff the leather of the toes real bad. Every once in a while the shoes needed to be resprayed. I don't know if this is available any more.