-
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Honey, I re-dyed the FS Doniger...
- Thread starter ties70
- Start date
Silver Surfer
Well-Known Member
first time out?not too bad, not too bad at all.imho, it looks better than before the redye.
ties70
Well-Known Member
Burt,
the basic factor for getting this done was "I don't care about the outcome!".
I thinks there is always a big chance to screw things up if people without any knowledge about the proper processes do experts work, so my basic approach was not to care too much.
It's a FS (Sorry, Shawn ;-)), so what could go wrong...
I started with a wash of acetone, to get rid off some of the original color. It didn't come off very evenly, so the jacket had some really light stripes afterwards. You can still see it, even after the redye.
After that I sourced some leather dye from Fiebing. I was not sure if I should take RUSSET or MOCCASIN BROWN, but decided for the MB, as I liked the still warm but slightly darker color more than the russet.
Of course, it is still "You don't know what you'll get": The color samples are made with light natural leather, and dyeing an already darker jacket has of course a different effect.
So yesterday I was equipped with 4 oz / 118 ml of Fiebing, four sheepskin daubers in various sizes and too synthethic sponges...oh, and some masking tape (that I only used for the waistband and the zipper tape, the sleeve ends and the collar / lining area was done "freestyle").
Wear some latex gloves
I then simply dipped the sponge into the dye and applied it with circular movements, starting with the pockets. Then the complete right front, then left. Sleeves the same way.
Try to move swiftly and cover the complete piece you want to dye.
The dye is alcohol based and dries really quick, so every break might cause noticeable color differences between your areas. You could cover this up with the next coat, but the more coats you have to apply, the darker your final result will be.
I used about 2/3 of the dye. I'l maybe use it all, unil I am finally happy with he result. At 7 USD per bottle material costs are not an issue.
The covered areas are dry to the touch within a minute! The jacket feels a little bit stiffer, though. This might be a side effect of the alcohol in the dye, as it probably not only dries the dye but the leather itself.
As for wiping off any dye....I rubbed very hard, but it didn't come off. I will try it again, this time with a damp cloth or even the hot water treatment.
As for the structure of the leather: I am not sure if the process has actually added any grain. The overall warmer and slightly shinier appearance of the redyed leather has definitely added some life to the jacket.
Here is a picture of the jacket before (after is to come later today):
I'll will keep you posted about the further process...
Best regards,
Ties
Last edited:
B-Man2
Well-Known Member
Ties
The “after” photos of your work looks great. I asked the question because I have a jacket that I would definitely consider as a candidate for this process. It’s just that I have no experience in this area. I liked your opening statement. One of the keys to success is “not to care about the outcome.” That definitely is good advise.
Question:
What might be the outcome if the beginning step of giving the jacket an acetone wash was omitted? Would the new color simply cover the original color and after time the original color bleed through the top coat ?
Thanks for sharing your info on this .
The “after” photos of your work looks great. I asked the question because I have a jacket that I would definitely consider as a candidate for this process. It’s just that I have no experience in this area. I liked your opening statement. One of the keys to success is “not to care about the outcome.” That definitely is good advise.
Question:
What might be the outcome if the beginning step of giving the jacket an acetone wash was omitted? Would the new color simply cover the original color and after time the original color bleed through the top coat ?
Thanks for sharing your info on this .
ties70
Well-Known Member
Burt,
in retrospective I should have done what you suggest: stay away from the acetone wash! The coating with moccasin brown would have been enough...a thorough rub with a damp cloth afterwards would have had most likely the desired effect of more depth and warmer undertones. The acetone wash was "overengineering".
Well, the result is still better than the original colour... a full wash of acetone down to the bare leather would have worked, too, but I was too lazy for that...
Last edited:
B-Man2
Well-Known Member
Ties
I think the original undertones slightly showing through look great. I remember that JC did a repo re-dye A2 jacket for me one time and explained that overtime the bottom layer of russet would slowly bleed thru the Seal top coat and give the jacket a very cool look of an original WWII re-dyed jacket. I think you’ve got that same effect with your jacket. You’ve given me motivation to give this a try.
Thanks
I think the original undertones slightly showing through look great. I remember that JC did a repo re-dye A2 jacket for me one time and explained that overtime the bottom layer of russet would slowly bleed thru the Seal top coat and give the jacket a very cool look of an original WWII re-dyed jacket. I think you’ve got that same effect with your jacket. You’ve given me motivation to give this a try.
Thanks
flyincowboy
Well-Known Member
Agree this re dye make a nice weathered change. it look like a vintage A2.
ausreenactor
Well-Known Member
Looks good.. could you use a small trigger pump spray and sponge?
Micawber
Well-Known Member
Having re-dyed quite a few leather jackets and other leather items over the years, just a few of which I have posted in the past here are my personal opinions....
Pre treatment with acetone or a number of other solvents will help the hide accept and absorb the new colour, be it spirit or water based better. It's easy to apply dye over existing finishes but expect that it might wear off on the high spots.
Final colour outcomes is something that can only be gauged through experience. Mixing same manufacture / type of dye either before application or during can achieve excellent results depending on both short and long term outcomes you are hoping to achieve.
With the above in mind I have never posted 'how to's' as years of faffing about in the restoration biz has taught me that there is always an element of risk involved. Being able to minimise or put right inevitable cock ups is something gained through experience
Pre treatment with acetone or a number of other solvents will help the hide accept and absorb the new colour, be it spirit or water based better. It's easy to apply dye over existing finishes but expect that it might wear off on the high spots.
Final colour outcomes is something that can only be gauged through experience. Mixing same manufacture / type of dye either before application or during can achieve excellent results depending on both short and long term outcomes you are hoping to achieve.
With the above in mind I have never posted 'how to's' as years of faffing about in the restoration biz has taught me that there is always an element of risk involved. Being able to minimise or put right inevitable cock ups is something gained through experience
ausreenactor
Well-Known Member
If the large back area appears patchy the jacket is in the best place for some amazing art?
It looks great though Ties and you have enhanced the jacket exponentially. Did the dye change the drape or feel of the hide?
It looks great though Ties and you have enhanced the jacket exponentially. Did the dye change the drape or feel of the hide?
ties70
Well-Known Member
Immediately after the dyeing process, the jacket felt slightly stiffer. As buffing the jacket with a dry cloth did not take off any dye, I used a wet cloth and rubbed the jacket down three or four times... The bleeding was noticeable but not as much as I feared. Less than a brand new raw denim jeans.
In the meantime I have applied a coat of bees wax, and that turned the jacket into the same drape as it had before the process.
Maybe I can get the missus to take some photos later today....
Last edited:
johnwayne
Well-Known Member
Out of curiosity why did you want to re-dye it, just unhappy with colour as was? Must admit Ive only had/have russet A2’s but do really like a seal berry combo - always missed out though when they've popped up from time to time. GW had a stunner on sale a couple of years back and reasonably priced too that I was gutted about missing, another one that got away!!
Not had a 5 Star and always thought their leathers a bit ‘caramel’ coloured from pics but would you have attempted a re-dye on say a GW? Liking the reddish undertones must say!!
Not had a 5 Star and always thought their leathers a bit ‘caramel’ coloured from pics but would you have attempted a re-dye on say a GW? Liking the reddish undertones must say!!
