Cleaning your leather before dying?

[Ace Lungger]

Howdy Pards,
I need to ask you all a question? I believe I saw and read that you should allways clen your leather before dyeing it, I have allways used rubbing alchol, but I have never done a light color before. And since I have been making this shoulder rig, I have been doing it a little at a time, and have notice some discoloraction, and I am not sure why, weather it was oil off my hands ect., never show up untill i did the border stamping! I read in one of my old, old books to use,oxalic acid cystalls, I don't have a clue in the world where I would go to get them?  If by any chane any of you could give me a clue, as to where I might find this stuff, i would be more than great full!

Any and all help advice will be aprreciated!
Thanks
ACE

[cowboywc]

Howdy Ace
Most hardware stores and woodworkers supply companys carry it.
WC

[Ace Lungger]

Thanks WC,
So i just go to Ace hardware stire and sk if the have oxalic acid cystalls??? You must remember that I live in podunk america!
I will see if I can find some this weekend.
Thanks Again
ACE

[ChuckBurrows]

it's often sold as wood bleach at hardware/paint stores........

[Ace Lungger]

Okay, will this not hurt the leather?

[cowboywc]

Follow the directions.
You should neutralize it with water and baking soda after use.
I quit using it years ago. I use pure lemon juice to clean my leather now.
WC

[Ace Lungger]

W.C. ,
If lemon juice is good enough for you, I believe Lemon Juice is what I will be using, I know where to go to find it!!
Thank you So Much!!
Thanks ACE

[cowboywc]

Howdy Ace
You can get the little plastic lemons with pure concentrate at most supermarkets.
WC

[SaddleRider]

Ace,

You may want to try Fiebings #5 Dye Prep.

My suppliers website product description reads: 

"Use Dye Prep to clean the leather before applying dyes or stains."

I've never used it, but definitely going to order a bottle soon to try it out myself.  I've been having similar issues lately with the tooling part coming out darker than the rest.  I guess it's caused by the oils in my hands touching the leather while I'm working on it.  Hopefully this will cure the problem.

[Ace Lungger]

saddlerider,
thanks for that, but the closest place for me to get it 120 miles each way, and i don't want to orderIt, but Thanks

WC, do I dilute or usw strait out of the bottle? If this was going to be a light color, i wouldn't care so much, i would just kit it with some R.A. and be done with it. But that light color puts me in no mans land And I have learned from you guys and my mentor is, if you are going to do it, do it the best you can!!
Thanks ACE

[cowboywc]

Howdy Ace
I use it right out of the bottle.
WC

[cowboywc]

Howdy SaddleRider
I have trouble with oils and acid in my system(drinking way to much Pepsi) leaving stains on my leather. I have to wash my hands and
arms before every carving job.
WC

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

                WC, Saddlerider looks enough like you to be your twin brother, ( LOL ) 




                                                          tEN wOLVES 

[SaddleRider]

Howdy SaddleRider
I have trouble with oils and acid in my system(drinking way to much Pepsi) leaving stains on my leather. I have to wash my hands and
arms before every carving job.
WC

Howdy WC,

Yeah, same for me, but mine is too much Coke Cola and dip, although I do wash before touching the leather, I guess there is a residual that is embedded in the skin even after washing.

I guess that is why I'm going to try the "Fiebings #5 Dye Prep" route one of these days and see if that makes a difference.

DeWayne

                WC, Saddlerider looks enough like you to be your twin brother, ( LOL ) 




                                                          tEN wOLVES 

tEN wOLVES,

Don't insult WC like that!   

[ChuckBurrows]

FWIW - Fiebings #5 Dye Prep is nothing more than ethyl alcohol(grain alkie) and a bit of ammonia.

For general cleanup/deglazing I generally use Isopropyl in a spray bottle, when things get tougher I use denatured or acetone. I've also used white vinegar and lemon juice - both are mild acids.......

[Wiley Desperado]

Good night nurse! Now I can say it is a documented fact that Beer is better than drinking soda water if your going to be a leathercrafter!!!! It doesn't cause a fella to stain his leather. I love this thread! Thanks for sharing pards.

[cowboywc]

Howdy SaddleRider
May not be just the Pepsi and my dip, may be the Black Velvet in the Pepsi.
WC

P.S.
There was no insult from TW....

[Marshal Will Wingam]

May not be just the Pepsi and my dip, may be the Black Velvet in the Pepsi.

Uh-huh! More comes to light.