Dyeing problems.

[Iain]

I have recently dyed a number of shoes. I first use a conditioner along with a scotchbrite pad then apply the dye. However, lately, I am finding it increasingly difficult to prevent the dye from coming out of the leather, even after a few days drying time. I only use leather dye on leather shoes.

This only really happens when I use the Punch leather dye. I am not sure if I would have the same problem with the Dylon dye as we have only recently begun to stock it.

 

Has anybody got any tips on how to better seal the dye in. I normally seal it in with Punch shoe cream as recommended but to no avail

 

Thanks.

Iain

[Guest shoegirl]

never used punch....but fire! fire! fire! (kidding) I hear this works well but i dont recomend lighting up a shoe immediatly after dying it! A ball of fire in your hand doesn't sound like a good thing!

 

maybe you should just not use that type of dye if you have problems with it.

[Hugh-Candoit (ENG)]

Leather dyes made in the Uk are so weak that they are inefective, H & S to blame as continued contact with the ingredients can cause Cancer in Rats.

 

If you want a decent dye use the French stuff, I think it is called Tentiure Francaise, best Euro product.

Best worldwide is from the USA and is made under the name of Fiebing, they do several types, solvent and oil based for the cowboy trade of Saddles Belts holsters etc. The solvent is the one you would need for shoes and the pre-cleaner is called Deglazer, a brilliant product in its own right.

These USA products are stocked by Abbey Saddlery and there is usually a stand on the exhibition with them on.

Good colour charts and brochures go with this product.

[Iain]

Thanks Hugh,

 

I've seen Fiebings before but have yet to try it for myself. We seem to sell enough dyes and have never had a complaint yet. However, the recent problems I am having may suggest that my customer's are having similar problems which in turn may mean they won't buy from me again.

 

I will look at stocking some of the Fiebing range. The Tarrago pre-dye conditioner is very effective so I shall continue with that for the time being.

 

You mention the contents of our dyes having a H&S issue. Can I assume the Fiebings range doesn't have those issues?

 

Cheers,

Iain

[Hugh-Candoit (ENG)]

Not sure if it was H & S or Beaureaucrats in Brussels but whoever it was ruined the British dye.

The USA does not have the restrictions that we in Euroland have to now put up with (all in our own interests of course).

 

Our products are far too weak in that last time I tried to dye a pair of my own at home it took 12 coats and even then i was not satisfied. ! month after wearing and polishing half the colour had gone out of the leather so I reverted back to my old favourite that was used for special jobs, the oversized Permanent Marker Pen !! cant beat those things.

 

As for retail sales I'm afraid that I would only sell the Acrylic tpe, Lady Easquire / Dylon etc, far to many problems with spirit based dyes that could lead to massive pay-outs for carpet and clothing marks, I probably would have a leaflet to hand out to customers purchasing spirit based dyes warning of this type of stain coming off just to be on the safe side unless your Insurance covers it.

 

Marcell was using a very good black colour in his video and I have asked him to find out what it was.

 

As for the well known no names British dyes, my fountain pen ink has a better depth of colour and is more permanent to boot, but then again it is Mont Blanc (French of course).

[Guest Marcell]

I am afraid, that my colour I use on the video, is just good for sole and heel edges, not for upper leathers..

[Hugh-Candoit (ENG)]

I am afraid, that my colour I use on the video, is just good for sole and heel edges, not for upper leathers..

That is what it is needed for Marcell, edges.

Is it possible for you to provide a way that we can view those videos of the making so that we can watch the whole proccess in 1 go and record it for the future youngsters.

I would like my grandchildren to see it one day.

[kobblers]

As for retail sales I'm afraid that I would only sell the Acrylic tpe, Lady Easquire / Dylon etc, far to many problems with spirit based dyes that could lead to massive pay-outs for carpet and clothing marks, I probably would have a leaflet to hand out to customers purchasing spirit based dyes warning of this type of stain coming off just to be on the safe side unless your Insurance covers it.

 

 

surely if anyone was going to be sued then it would be the manufacturer of the product who would be liable?

[Hugh-Candoit (ENG)]

surely if anyone was going to be sued then it would be the manufacturer of the product who would be liable?

 

No, the Law states that you the seller of the item are responsible,it is up to you to provide a product that is fit for the purpose. It's a common belief by many that the manufacturer is responsible.

There have been ammendments to the law in that the manufacturer can now be sued if there is a problem with the product but I cant remember the exact details.

[Perplexus]

I've been using Fiebing's dyes for over 30 years on belts, saddles, handbags and all sorts of leather goods . . . never any problems with rub-off. I mostly use their professional oil dyes, which have a limited range of colours, but there is a good variety of spirit-based colours (colour chart at Le Prevo's website http://www.leprevo.co.uk/photos/dye_chart.html)

 

It's much cheaper to buy the 32 oz size unless it's just for a try-out. The dyes can all be intermixed and thinned with methylated spirit (or denatured alcohol, as they call it in the US!).

[Hugh-Candoit (ENG)]

Nice to hear that Perplexus, I also like their SaddleLac, it gives an almost Patent look. I still use it at home.

I was aware of Le Prevo in the North East some 15 years ago but they only wanted to supply in boxed quantities, have they now changed.

[Perplexus]

Le Prevo are quite happy to sell individual bottles of Fiebing's dyes, either in 4 oz or 32 oz sizes. The prices between Abbey Saddlery and Le Prevo are a bit 'swings and roundabouts' . . . some cheaper at Abbey, others cheaper at Le Prevo.

I sometimes use Saddle Lac as sealer, and it's a good product, but I find that the finish is generally too 'toffee-apple' for the leather goods I make. I prefer to use a wax-based polish - carnauba wax for high gloss and Mylands furniture wax for everything else!

[Hugh-Candoit (ENG)]

The Saddle Lac was good for non movable leather such as Heel covers etc but on large areas like bags I never tried.