Dyeing a Dubow

[fishmeok]

Being one of those guys who can't just leave well enough alone I decided to modify my pre-production Goodwear Dubow. I have always liked the darker seal jackets, and there was a Dubow contract in that color. I used Feibings dark brown dye (3 coats, 4 bottles) and re-tailored the jacket at the same time. I took an inch off the body and sleeve width, and 3/4 of an inch off the sleeve length. I am VERY happy with the results.
Cheers
Mark

Before:

After 2 coats (cuffs still removed):

And Finished. It looks a little plum colored but that is not visible to the naked eye. It's a new camera which I have not completely figured out yet... Note the original color on the collar hanger:

And with the flash on:

 

[tgd31968]

Your a gutsier man than I. With what these jackets cost, I would not be inclined to mess with one.

Terry

 

[deeb7]

Your a gutsier man than I. With what these jackets cost, I would not be inclined to mess with one.

........ But it does look better!

 

[SuinBruin]

Very cool. Love the redye look.

 

[T-Bolt]

Looks great Mark!! How did you do the edges, such as the juncture with the zipper tape?? Did you use a Q-tip? Nice job....all in all.


Ted

 

[jacketimp]

your jacket........your call..........so long as you're happy with it......

 

[better duck]

The leather looks great! The only nitpicking critique would be that the stitching has been redyed as well and doesn't stand out anymore. But that was probably the case with all redyes.
Very daring undertaking!

 

[fishmeok]

I really have no qualms about messing with his jacket- it's one of Johns early attempts and is made from a cowhide he doesn't use anymore, as he has has much better stuff these days. I have already put it through the wringer in about a million different ways- washed, dried, taken to Europe, worked on cars, etc. Once you make your own jacket you realize there really isn't anything that can't be done if you are willing to put in the time. This one was always a little big on me, wish I had taken the sides in and shortened the sleeves a year ago. (David- I was all ready for a "shoulder-droop" comment )

I was never completely happy with the color, 'specially once I saw Jeff's russet originals, and the re-dye jackets are my favorites, plus this one has reddish knits which really stand out with a dark color. Since I didn't want to use my paint gun and spray lacquer all over it Fiebings dye seemed the best answer. It's alcohol based and readily available at any shoe-repair place. The trick is to prep the jacket properly an remove any old dressings, dirt, etc. and then use paint brushes to apply the dye. If you use a small fine brush (about 1") it's easy to fill in the edges by the knits and zipper tape without getting any dye on them. You use capillary action, let the dye flow into the very edge, don't try to paint it in. Kind of a dabbing motion with the brush. The hide this jacket is made of is very porous, it soaks up the dye like a sponge, but other finishes will give different results (see the under panel on the left arm, it's made from a different hide). I think there is going to be a break in period when this will shed a little of the yellow-tinted dye base (also period correct, a happy finding), I gave it a good buffing with a cloth but it needs more so I will just have to careful until it breaks in.

I did lose the contrasting sticthing, but I put two new rows of OD topstitching at the body seams where I took them in which I think gives the jacket a nice worked on look.
Cheers
Mark

 

[Anonymous]

Nice work. I like the cowhide look for change. Makes it look wery well worn.

 

[Marv]

That's a great looking Dubow, the redye definately makes the jacket....I am also a fan of the darker seal/redye colour so hat's off you, excellent.

 

[Anonymous]

I salute a man with bigger balls than I !!!

The jacket looks even better than it did but are you not worried that rotenhan is gonna come gunning for you for having interfered with 'perfection' ?

I like the fact that the stitching is of the same colour as the jacket now.

Another year or so and you could be the new emperor. Taking orders from all and sundry as your jackets become the new haute couture.

well done !
J_H

 

[fishmeok]

I salute a man with bigger balls than I !!!

The jacket looks even better than it did but are you not worried that rotenhan is gonna come gunning for you for having interfered with 'perfection' ?

I like the fact that the stitching is of the same colour as the jacket now.

Another year or so and you could be the new emperor. Taking orders from all and sundry as your jackets become the new haute couture.

well done !
J_H

See, that's the plan, and once I actually make another jacket (haven't even gotten leather for the third yet) I can pitch it to the fashionable as the latest hot new trend- for approx $6-7K each. Plus, I can stop worrying about that pesky "quality" or "doing a good job" thing that's really slowing me down right now...
Cheers
Mark