I need help - Staining technique

[dbrown3]

I am making a B Western rig for my wife, Ima QuikShot.
I want to stain the rig tan with a dark brown edge that fades into the tan.  Problem is I dont know how to do it.
Im going to assume I stain the whole thing tan and then put the dark brown around the perimiter.  But how do I blend, or fade it in with the tan?
I have some scraps to do a little trial and error, but I thought I would seek a little expert advise while I was waiting for my dark brown stain to arrive by mail.
Thanks in advance.

[bedbugbilly]

For what it's worth . . . and remember this is free . . . . 

I use the "eco flow" dyes that are water based quite a bit (from Tandy).  My favorite shades are the antique saddle tan and I believe the medium brown.

In the flat (before sewing the hoslter) I coat it well with the tan, let it sit for a few minutes and then I take a spray bottle of water and spritz it.  I then use a piece of old terry cloth towel that I've spritzed with water as well and rub the holster out.  If I want it darker, I do another coat and repeat the process.  After the holster is sewn, I then take a piece of terry cloth, get it wet and then dip it in to a little of the brown dye that has been cut (diluted) with water.  I carefully rub it in around the top of the bucket, along the sewn sides, etc.  I build up several applications and then after it has sat for a few minutes, take a clean damp piece of terry cloth and go over the entire holster.  The dampness seems to soften the dye enough that it blends in in from a darker hue around the edges into a lighter hue on the main portion of the holster. 

You just have to play with it.  Every piece of leather is different as far as how it takes the dye.  I keep a small bottle of the eco flow in black.  I often dye the edge seam with that (using a q tip).  I did a holster not too long ago that I dyed an antique tan, blended in a top coat along the edges of medium brown and then used a little diluted black along the very edges.  I let it dry for a few days and then did a coating of olive oil.  I let that dry for a few days and then coated the entire holster in Johnsons Paste Wax (neutral), buffed it out and it had a nice aged look to it.

On a lot of my holsters, I "antique" them - after stamping borders, etc. and while they are still "cased", I go outside and on my crushed stone lawn, I lay the holster face down on the stone and gently step on it.  This gives indentations to the leather that when dyed, catch more of the dye and are darker.  I then go ahead and apply my dye.  It gives a nice "used" look to the holster like it has been carried and knocked around.  On some, I've even used sandpaper to add wear to the leather on the outside where normal wear would show from usage - around the tip, etc.

I'm sorry but I don't have any pictures of the holster I shaded as I sent it to the customer last week.  On the belt, you could do the same blending from the edges towards the center portions.  As I said, I don't know how much help my information is but it works pretty well for me and I'm happy with the results.  Good luck!   

[Arizona Cattleman]

An airbrush works good, practice first, use it to add the dark brown around the edges.

AC

[dbrown3]

Thanks for the very helpful information.
I welcome other ideas or techniques.

[Eloy Santa Cruz]

If you go to Adams Leatherworks website. He has a tutorial video that demonstrates the use of an airbrush to feather a two tone border on a holster. Looks real nice.

[Cliff Fendley]

If you talking something like this I use home made walnut dye and then come back and darken the areas I want with more walnut stained neatsfoot oil.



Just so happens the fellow that owns this has ordered a knife and Mexican loop style sheath I am just finishing up and I'll be trying to match it. Wish me luck

Today is the day for home made walnut stain, I've done four so far and got two more items to go They soak two hours and then hang in the sun to dry.

[Boothill Bob]

I use a airbrush and it works great to make som fade dyeing

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I use a airbrush and it works great to make som fade dyeing

The airbrushed edges are nice. It's a good look.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

         I agree with Will, it looks very nice Henrik

                 tEN wOLVES 

[Massive]

Does anyone know what would happen spraying vinegaroon?   I'm thinking mostly about the effect on a relatively cheap gun.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I wouldn't hesitate to use it in my airbrush as long as all the particles were filtered out. You'll have to neutralize it with baking soda after. If you try it, be sure to post a picture of the results for us.