Whether you're making leather items, or repairing them, this leather coloring guide can be of great help to you. Knowing how to dye leather also allows you to quickly change the color of leather items. Keep in mind that every leather item is different so it may also vary slightly in how it absorbs color.
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Method 1 of 3: Using Commercial Skin Dye
Step 1. Determine the leather dye
Most commercial leather dyes come with a preparer solution, coloring agent, and a finish (eg Leather Sheen). Consider the following before choosing a leather dye:
- Alcohol-based dyes will stiffen the leather, while water-based dyes will keep the leather soft and smooth. Many water-based dyes are film-based, so they can completely change the color of the object.
- The color of the product liquid is not a reflection of the final result. So, try dyeing a small amount of leather first. If you are going to use this product on objects that are already colored, do a color match first to get the exact same color.
- The dye can be sprayed, rubbed with a brush or with a sponge. Choose the one that is easiest for you to use.
Step 2. Cover all the parts you don't want to color with masking tape
Cover any clips or metal objects that you don't want to stain with tape or duct tape. The tape may damage the finish on the leather item, but you will also peel it off before staining.
Step 3. Find a well-ventilated room
Some preparer solutions and leather dyes will give off fumes that are harmful if inhaled. So, work in a room with a smooth airflow. If your skin is going to be colored outdoors, try to keep it away from direct sunlight and extreme heat.
Most dyes perform best in air temperatures of 15ºC or above
Step 4. Protect your hands and floor from stains
Dyes can leave permanent stains on the surface of your skin, as well as other surfaces. So, wear latex or nitrile gloves. Also lay out a layer of plastic to contain the spilled dye.
Step 5. Use the preparer solution
Wipe the liquid preparer or deglazer using a clean cloth. This material will lift the final layer on the skin so that the dye can be absorbed evenly.
Step 6. Wet the surface of the leather material
Use a spray bottle filled with water to moisturize the leather surface. However, do not over-wet the leather. Just make sure the surface is evenly moist. This will help the dye to absorb evenly and give you a smooth finish.
This step is not necessary if you are using certain skin dyes. Check the instructions on the packaging
Step 7. Apply the first coat of dye
Start by rubbing the paint on the edges with a brush. Next, apply a thin layer of dye using a sponge, wool dauber, brush, or sprayer. Check the instructions in the product packaging to see which tools are recommended, or consider the pros and cons of the following tools:
- Sponges can give texture or special effects to leather. Use the sponge in a circular motion to get an even finish.
- Wool dauber is easy to use to spread liquid dye in a small area. However, this brush is not suitable for gel dyes.
- Paint brushes are suitable for use on edges and narrow areas. However, brush strokes will be difficult to disguise on large surfaces. For the first layer, run the brush from left to right, then from top to bottom for the second layer, and then in a circle to ensure an even finish.
- The sprayer will make it easier for you to mix colors to fix or if you use a lot of dye. A spray gun in the form of an airbrush or touch-up gun can maximize your control during use. Check the user manual to see if the dye can be sprayed.
Step 8. Apply an additional layer of dye
Let the first coat of dye dry a bit first. Then, continue to apply more coats of dye until you get the color you want, usually after about 3-6 coats of dye. Making several thin layers will make it easier for you to get a uniform color result.
Step 9. Allow the leather material to dry completely while occasionally changing its position to keep it smooth
Allow the leather to dry for at least 24 hours. Lift and bend the leather occasionally (while still wearing gloves) to prevent it from stiffening. At first, the leather will feel sticky. However, this can be overcome by applying leather sheen.
Step 10. Wipe the leather with a clean cloth and apply leather sheen
Wiping with a clean cloth will remove any remaining dye while also glossing the leather's surface. You can use leather sheen to make the leather look shiny.
Method 2 of 3: Using Vinegar and Rusting Metal
Step 1. Use vinegar and rusty metal to blacken the leather
This ancient method known as vinegaroon is cheap and easy to use to permanently dye leather black. The resulting color will not fade onto clothing or fingers. Plus, you can save the rest for later use.
This method works best on vegetable leather (or antique pit-tanned leather). If it is already colored, the leather may have been locked and chrome-tanned so this method will not give good results
Step 2. Determine the source of the rust
You can use iron nails, scrap metal, or any material that will rust (and ideally have started to rust). Steel fiber is one of the quickest options to use because it can be separated into smaller pieces. However, steel fibers have an oil coating that prevents them from rusting. Remove the grease film on the steel fibers first by soaking them in acetone, then squeezing them out and letting them dry completely.
Acetone can irritate the skin. Occasional use of acetone should not cause long-term problems. However, it is best to wear latex gloves
Step 3. Warm the vinegar
Heat about 2 quarts of vinegar or apple cider vinegar until it is warm enough and not too hot to the touch. Return it to its original container, or into an easy-to-use container.
Step 4. Put the metal in the vinegar
Over time, rust (iron oxide) will react with vinegar (acetic acid). The result is ferric acetate which will react with the tannins and can color the leather.
The amount of iron that needs to be added depends on the level of the vinegar. The best way to estimate this is to add a large amount of metal at a time (30 nails, for reference), then keep adding metal until it stops dissolving
Step 5. Leave the vinegar in a warm, well-ventilated room for at least a week
Make a hole in the lid of the vinegar container to allow the gas to escape, or the container will explode. Cover the vinegar container and let it sit for a week or two in a warm room. The vinegaroon solution is ready to use when the iron has dissolved and the vinegar smell has disappeared.
- If the vinegar smell is still strong, add more iron to it. If there is still iron in it, heat the vinegar solution on the stove to speed up the reaction.
- After almost all of the acetic acid is gone, the remaining iron will rust normally and turn the solution reddish. This is when you can open the lid for a few days to help evaporate any remaining acetic acid.
Step 6. Filter the solution
Pour the solution through a paper towel or coffee filter repeatedly until it is free of debris.
Step 7. Soak the leather in the black tea solution
Brew extra strong black tea, then let it cool. Soak the leather in the tea solution to absorb the tannins. The tannins will strengthen the vinegaroon effect and help prevent cracking.
Professional leather crafters sometimes use tannic acid or logwood extract as a tea substitute
Step 8. Soak the leather in the vinegaroon solution for 30 minutes
This liquid will seep into the layers of the skin and produce a permanent color. Don't be surprised if the color appears gray or bluish as this color will darken further during the process, and darken after oiling.
Try testing the same leather material or angle first. If the leather cracks after a few days, dilute the vinegaroon solution with water and try again
Step 9. Neutralize the leather with a baking soda solution
Mix 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of baking soda in 1 liter of water. Saturate leather with this solution, then rinse with clean water. This solution will neutralize the acid from the vinegar solution to prevent the leather from breaking down afterwards.
Step 10. Moisturize the leather with oil
While the leather is still damp, rub the oil you like all over the surface. You may need to apply two layers of oil to properly moisturize your skin. Choose the right oil by testing it on a small area of leather first.
Method 3 of 3: Using Mink Oil
Step 1. Use mink oil if you want to darken the leather
Mink oil is a natural ingredient that can lubricate and seep into the skin material so that it moisturizes. Mink oil is also useful for making leather waterproof, it also protects it from salt, fungus, mold, and other things.
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Warning:
the use of mink oil is debated because it can leave an oily film on the leather's surface that blocks other products (making leather very difficult to gloss or renew). To make matters worse, mink oil products are not standardized and may contain silicone or other ingredients that can damage the leather. Research product reviews before using it on high-quality leather.
Step 2. Clean the leather
Before coloring, make sure the leather is clean of dust, dirt, or other debris. Use a damp brush or cloth to remove dust or dirt from the surface of the leather.
Step 3. Put the leather material in the sun
Warm the leather material slowly in the sun. This process will help the mink oil "pull" the dye into the leather, forming a permanent layer that can't be erased.
You should not warm the leather in the oven as this can easily damage it
Step 4. Warm the mink oil
Place a bottle of mink oil in a bowl of hot water to slowly heat it up. This will help ensure the mink oil coats the leather material evenly.
Step 5. Apply mink oil
Gently wipe the mink oil with a cloth over the entire surface of the leather. Spread the mink oil on the surface of the leather so that the staining results are even. You may need to apply mink oil a few times to get the desired intensity of color.
Step 6. Let the leather material dry for 30-60 minutes
Move the leather occasionally back and forth so it doesn't stiffen. Massaging the oil onto the surface of the leather can also help.
Step 7. Scrub or buff the leather with a cloth or shoe brush
For a nice finish, scrub dry leather with a clean brush or cloth. Rub the leather in a circle.
Step 8. Use the final result with care
Be careful when using or wearing leather after you've finished coloring it, as the oil may drip onto your skin or clothing, as well as anything else it comes in contact with during the first few weeks.
- To avoid unwanted stains, you may want to keep the leather item in a safe place in the cupboard until the color is completely absorbed.
- If you are not satisfied with the resulting color, repeat all the steps in this method as needed to get a darker color.
