Dipping holsters in dye

[Pappy Hayes]

I have always wondered how this is done. Do  you dip it in the dye before stitching it or aftwards? How does the dye affect the thread? If  you use a light color does it turn dark?

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Pappy, I've done both ways. With linen thread, it takes the dye nicely. With synthetic, it doesn't as well. I like the look of the stitch line died. But then again, there are times when I want the stitch line to be contrasting.

[Slowhand Bob]

Pappy, most often I dip (or submerge) the leather.  Sometimes a quick dip and no wipe will give a somewhat rustic appearance that some like and some do not.  Let the leather sit a few seconds and you will get a more even saturation.  At the end, I wet mold, wait until almost dry and then submerge in dye.  My white thread comes out well matched to the dye color.  Some color combinations are done very differently from the outset.   

[Bugscuffle]

I have gone to dyeing before assembly. I have found that dyeing the finished holster makes for some uneven colors in some areas where the leather has been stretched, especially with lighter shades of dye. After assembly it's just a matter of edge dressing. If you want your stitching to macth the leather color you can always dye the thread before stitching it up.

[Pappy Hayes]

There are times I want the thread to be contrasting(white thread) so I would need to dip it before putting it together, correct? Are you using the homemade dyes for your dipping? I have not tried to make any it but that will be my next adventure. Can you use coffee and what is the process? Is there instructions for this somewhere here?

[Bugscuffle]

Yes. You must dye the leather before assembly. Some people use waxed thread and dye afterward. athey feel that the wax wuill keep out the dye on the thread, but to my eye the stitching just doesn't look crisp and clean like it does when the dyeing is done first.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I agree with Bugs on the nylon thread. Here's a holster that was dyed after stitching. It has nylon thread.

[Slowhand Bob]

I just started a new rig fer a friend up in DC today and he wanted it in two tone with no grain showing.  My very first step was to dye two pieces of leather separately and this was done by swabbing four coats of dye one each piece at right angles.  Tomorrow I will buff the pieces well and see if they need more dye before proceeding.  There always seems to be exceptions to every rule I try to set!   

[john beattie]

I always used to dye them assemble but then i watched the Chuck Burrows dvd and now i do both, if im looking for the aged look dipping is the way for me the thread takes on just enough dye to make it look old and i think the leather finish looks better, it also makes it easier for fitting the gun as the leather pliable when damp

john

[Cliff Fendley]

Personally I just don't like that bright white thread showing. It just looks too new and store bought.

When using skirting leather I either use an egg shell color thread or count on the oil giving it an off color. When dying I dye after assembly when possible so the dye takes on some of the color.

[Johnny McCrae]

I dye after assembly for the same reason Cliff does. I don't like the look of that bright white thread showing. Right after the Holster comes out of the dye is also the perfect time for me to wet mold the Holster.

[Cliff Fendley]

Absolutely, that's when to do any final molding.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

HOWDY ALL

      For me I like to submerge my leather items for a period of time, mostly because I use natural dyes, I can vary the depth and tone of color by allowing the leather to stay submerged for different times depending on the color I'm looking for, and dye's used, and as stated above by others, wet molding after taking the leather out of the dye works well, you can also get deeper rich colors by using different methods of finish.


                 tEN wOLVES