I have been messing with leather for some time, and decided to try my hand at dying it. I don't want to spend money on things, it just goes against my sense of "do-it-yourself". That being said, I discovered an online tutorial on making "Vinegaroon", an old-fashioned method to turning leather black. It technically is not a dye, as it actually changes the color of the tannins in tanned leather. It does not rub off or bleed, and will not stain any synthetic thread that you have used to sew your leather.
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?5o4xwjbv37upldo
All you need to make it is steel wool and distilled white vinegar. (I would also suggest a work space with ventilation.)
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?0h82g3acy9h9azz
You place a handful of steel wool in a container and fill it with vinegar until it is covered. Place a lid loosely on it to allow for gases to escape without bursting the container and wait for a few days.
Here is a picture of a batch that was filtered through a rag and a batch that is still fermenting.
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?44i4tpg41gbbinc
I had made a holster a while ago, but didn't bother dying or sealing it. As such, daily wear has caused it to stain. I decided to try using Vinegaroon to clean it up.
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?9pq6jnvjv6ckll5
Due to oils and who knows what from 6 months of use, the dye did not take well at first.
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?8481nbth72r5ku4
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?8ltmmznejkgeezz
After a bit of elbow grease, however, it worked itself in.
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?0sur0bwlxrm6arm
Looks a lot better than it did. I have read that due to the acidic nature of Vinegaroon, it is a good idea to rinse the leather in a baking soda/water solution after dying in order to neutralize the acid and prevent damage. After rinsing and air drying, I waxed and buffed the holster.
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?5o4xwjbv37upldo
All you need to make it is steel wool and distilled white vinegar. (I would also suggest a work space with ventilation.)
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?0h82g3acy9h9azz
You place a handful of steel wool in a container and fill it with vinegar until it is covered. Place a lid loosely on it to allow for gases to escape without bursting the container and wait for a few days.
Here is a picture of a batch that was filtered through a rag and a batch that is still fermenting.
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?44i4tpg41gbbinc
I had made a holster a while ago, but didn't bother dying or sealing it. As such, daily wear has caused it to stain. I decided to try using Vinegaroon to clean it up.
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?9pq6jnvjv6ckll5
Due to oils and who knows what from 6 months of use, the dye did not take well at first.
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?8481nbth72r5ku4
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?8ltmmznejkgeezz
After a bit of elbow grease, however, it worked itself in.
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?0sur0bwlxrm6arm
Looks a lot better than it did. I have read that due to the acidic nature of Vinegaroon, it is a good idea to rinse the leather in a baking soda/water solution after dying in order to neutralize the acid and prevent damage. After rinsing and air drying, I waxed and buffed the holster.