Views: 6 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2022-07-20 Origin: Site
When you buy leather of top quality, even if the color were to fade, you will want to keep using it for a long time since it does not tear. Likewise, some people buy leather but do not like the color. If you fall into the two categories above, you can solve the problem by dyeing the leather.
Dyeing of leather is a simple procedure that allows changing the color of the leather to another color you prefer. In this guide, we will discuss the steps to take when dyeing leather and the materials needed.
Before you can dye leather, set aside a space with enough ventilation, and some materials are needed for the process. Any quality leather store will have the materials for dyeing leather. The materials for dyeing leather include:
1. Deglazer: Before dyeing the leather, cleaning of the leather is required, and the solution used in cleaning is deglazer.
2. Spray bottle: to enhance easy absorption of the dye by the leather, spraying the leather with water is required using a spray bottle.
3. Paintbrush: For the application of the coat of dye to the leather, the paintbrush is used
4. Leather dye: There are many kinds of leather dye; the color you want the leather to have will determine the type of leather dye to use.
5. Scrap rag: It is good to have a scrap rag which is usually an old piece of clothing used in cleaning and wiping excessive dye after spillage.
6. Gloves: When dyeing your leather, you may want to protect your forearm from getting in contact with the dye directly by wearing gloves. The dye can stick to the forearm when used directly without gloves which can be messy.
7. A ventilated and protected workspace: There is the possibility of the leather releasing toxic gases and making breathing difficult. Thus working in a well-ventilated space is necessary. Ensure the workspace is clean by demarcating it with a drop cloth or large trash bag. When dyeing leather indoors, ensures the windows are opened, and the fan is working, but if you are working outside, ensure the environment is dry and avoid direct sunlight.
There are various kinds of leather dyes and finishes, depending on the type of leather. Below are seven different kinds of leather dyes and how to use them:
1. Shoe polish: Although this dye is distinct for its ease and quick application, it is not a permanent dye and can quickly shed off. The lack of dye penetration of the leather fiber makes it less permanent.
2. Alcohol-based leather dyes: This is a permanent kind of dye due to its ability to penetrate the leather fiber, which makes the color stay on the leather for long. When you use this kind of dye, it makes the leather stiff by removing moisture from it. Therefore, restoring the material using a leather finisher or conditioner is necessary after applying the dye.
3. The sun: Part of the maintenance of leather is to prevent staying in the sunlight for long. The sun can change the color of vegan tanned leather by darkening it. It is a natural dye and requires leaving the leather in the sun for a minimum of an hour. However, if you want it to be darker, you can leave it in the sun for a long time.
4. Oil-based leather dyes: Although oil-based leather is also a kind of permanent dye, it does not cause stiffening of the leather after application, unlike alcohol-based leather. When applied, it penetrates the surface of the leather fiber, and the dye becomes permanent. It does not require using a leather finisher or conditioner after application, so it is suitable for full and top grain leather.
5. Water-based leather dyes: The production of more muted hues by water-based leather dyes makes it distinct from other dyes and has fewer toxins than them.
6. Resolene: Some dyes act as leather finishers, one of which is resolene, also called acrylic dye. When applied, it gives the leather a shiny look and forms a protective layer after drying it. Resolene is available in different hues and finishes, and it is suitable for corrected grain leather since its fiber would have undergone sanding.
7. Resin: It is used to produce leather finisher, which helps in protecting the leather from dirt and provides a soft and subtle finishing. These finishers function very well but cannot resist water, so the leather should be dry when used.
After getting the materials needed to apply dye to the leather, you ought to know how to use the dye properly. Below are the seven steps you can follow to dye leather:
1. Ready your workstation
It is crucial to ensure the condition of the workstation is perfect. You need to have a large table to work on if you are working indoors. Cover the floor with a towel to prevent it from spilling on the floor, and ensure to put on gloves. Also, ventilate the place by letting in fresh air through the window and turning on the fan. Demarcate the area of working with a trash bag laid on the surface and maintain the temperature at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you set your workspace outside, you should work on a day that is not windy and ensure there is shade.
2. Apply your deglazer
Before applying deglazer to leather shoes, removing the shoelaces is necessary, ensuring there is no moisture by putting balled-up paper in the shoe. Remove the seal on the leather by applying the deglazer on it using a clean cloth. It allows easy penetration of the dye when applied.
3. Spray the leather with water
Before applying the dye, the shoe's surface needs to be wet a little to enhance absorption evenly.
4. Start with a first coat.
Start by painting the edge of the leather product using a paintbrush and if there are spaces without the dye, use a cotton ball to distribute the dye evenly. When applying the dye with a cotton ball, maintain a circular motion.
5. Let it dry
Leave the leather to dry completely for a whole day.
6. Add more thin coats.
After drying, reapply the dye to the leather to ensure even distribution and get the desired color. A minimum of three thin layers of the dye is required.
7. Buff the leather
Then apply leather finisher once you are done with dyeing for the leather to have a shiny and smooth appearance. Then allow it to dry, tidy the workstation, and start using the newly dyed belt.
Below are three tips that will make the dyeing process easy for you when applied:
· Have a variety of tools for applying dye
· Sample your dye color
· Dipping can be easier, faster technique
Dyeing of leather makes it possible to have belts of different colors which will go with the appropriate shoe. People have different taste as regards their best color but with the manufacturing of belts with different kind of colour, people can purchase their preference.
You can get the different leather at Dongguan Hong Ding Leather Co. LTD, which specializes in leather products like belts and bags. It is among the leading companies in leather processing technology and leather products.
