Revitalize Your Black Leather Dye
Black Leather Dye Products
Leather products are extremely expensive due to the height of leather in the fashion world. This hype is one of the main reasons your favorite leather products run out of stock so quickly. Now paying a hefty price tag for a color that you didn't want in the first place is unfair to you. Whether it's a leather biker jacket or a pair of thigh-high leather boots, if finding the right color has become your headache, get rid of it and DIY.
One bottle of colored leather dye and a few utensils to get the job done and dusted within a day. So get an affordable leather product and set your workstation because a few coats of leather dye can transform your product from rags to riches. And this article will guide you all about leather dyes, so stick till the end of it.
Kinds of Leather Dyes
Alcohol-based
Alcohol-based leather dyes are the most popular because of their convenience. Unlike other Black Leather Dye, they don't take hours to dry as the alcohol evaporates quickly. Alcohol-based dyes leave a strong pigment on the leather, though they might also leave a strong odor.
Oil-based
Oil-based leather dyes are also manufactured like alcohol dyes with almost the same amount of alcohol. However, the pigment is mixed with an oil solution before incorporating into the dye. Oil-based dyes are the top preference of professionals because they offer better coating and full coverage on full-grain leather.
Water-based
Water-based leather dyes are ideal when you want the leather to have a blurred tint. This kind of leather dye works best with thin leather like lambskin, which has superior flexibility and suppleness. Unlike alcohol and oil-based dyes, water-based dye takes longer time to dry.
Leather Dye Substitutes
Coffee
You can use coffee as a leather dye as leather retains the brown pigment. Coffee works best on vegetable-tanned leather, but you'd still have to use a heavy quantity of leather conditioner.
Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the best natural leather dyes for black leather only. Using a rag, you can apply it directly to your faded leather shoes or bags. At first, the vinegar-soaked area will turn a shade of gray, but a few hours later, the leather will naturally deepen its black color.
Resolene
You can use black or brown resolene to thinly coat your leather products, as it works just like leather dye. However, resolene only works best for fine-grain leather as it hardens as the coating dries. It will look messy if you heavily coat a full-grain leather product with resolene.
Resin
Polyurethane resin is a great substance to coat leather products for that polished sheen. You must find a leather product, say leather polish, featuring resin. Buff a little resin polish over your leather product, and you'll have a shiny, sparkling leather surface.
How to Dye Leather Products
Dying leather products at home can be a mess, so working in a garage or in the open air is better. There are chances that the odor and fumes can get to your head, so we recommend doing the project in a well-ventilated area.
Start by prepping your leather by lathering a decent quantity of leather deglazer. Dampen a soft cloth and pour the deglazing solution on it. Then lightly rub it over the leather until any top coats or oils come off, leaving you with a rough canvas.
Once you've deglazed the surface of your leather, dampen it with another cloth. Start dyeing the edges of your leather with the help of a paintbrush. The slightly damp leather evenly absorbs the leather dye; however, the brush strokes might be visible. Blend the leather dye using a beauty blender in a circular motion.
Let the leather dye dry off completely under the air and then reapply a few more thin coats. You can add more layers of leather dye to the product to increase the color depth. When you're done with the dyeing process, lightly buff the leather with leather polish or conditioner to give it a sheen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to dye a leather jacket at home?
Dyeing a leather jacket at home is fine when you have all the necessary equipment and products. You can also do it if it's your first time because dyeing a leather jacket isn't a big deal. The only area in which you'll need perfection is near the buttons, zippers, and pockets.
How long does leather dye last on a leather jacket?
Using a decent amount of leather dye on your leather jacket might last for two years or even more. However, if you use it heavily, the excess will rub off, washing away the first few layers of dye. This is why you should use enough dye to cover the leather and retouch it occasionally.
Can you make leather dye at home?
There are many leather dye substitutes, but if you want to make your leather dye at home, you'll need only two ingredients; leather conditioner and shoe polish. Mix the two ingredients in a mixing bowl in equal parts. We recommend using liquid shoe polish as the leather dye will last longer in liquid form than in semi-liquid form.
