Staining a holster

mballai

I was wondering if it would be reasonably safe to stain a holster. I saw a brown one that I wanted to make black. How would I do it?

Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead

Contender Man

Think it would depend on the finish of the leather. If it is an oil type finish or has been oiled then you may not be able to get the penetration needed.

What you might want to do is go to a shoe shop and see what they think. I know my wife has had a couple pair of shoes re-dyed to other colors over the years ... so I think it is just a matter of letting a pro take a look.



If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!

rhmc24

C-Man is right. But if you want to experiment, buy a bottle of Fiebing's leather dye, about $4. Try in on some place that won't show and then decide if it may give you what you want. Works well for me.

snarlgard

some leather is sealed to stop the leather from asorbing too much water
if you want to redye it you have to break down the old sealer
tandy leather has a solvent that does just that.
after useing it you should be able to redye it
and the fiebing usmc black should give you the darkest black
after all that then you have to reseal it
I prefere tandy brand saddlelac, you may use tandy neatlac but it doesn't last as long
but for a holster I would stay away from tandy brand supershine(will not last)

Lt. snarlgard RRG
SMILE...MAKE EM WONDER WHAT YOUR UP TO[}:)]

jsergovic

C-man ~ right on target.
A solvent will take the leather down to skin, but might alter the surface texture.
From there, you can wax or dye the leather as you wish.

Click on the "Cowboy" below and he might direct you to something you want ...

mballai

Sounds like more trouble than it would be worth unless the holster was expensive or irreplaceable say a discontinued model.

Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead

Idahjo

LINCOLN leather dye, is a spirit dye. It will penetrate most anything with a couple coats. Don't cringe, but soak the leather surface well and carefully 'burn off' with a match. It will burn off on the surface as alcohol does... if it gets to vigerous, just blow it out. After it sits awhile, either polish it or oil it. I used to do this all the time and it is PERMANENT! Their black will cover brown.

PS-Be sure to remove the ammo, and don't catch your hair on fire[;)]

If you are not part of the solution,
you are most probably adding to the problem!

Pinhead

mballai, you didn't state what kind of holster you wanted to dye black. If it is a 1911 holster or 1917 revolver holster--both pre-war, please don't. They are far too valuable in brown to black. There are several ways to dye a brown holster black and most of them have already been covered. Just take your time and don't rush the project and it should turn out fine. Working in leather is a great hobby but it is not for the impatient.

mballai

I've pretty much determined that the time and effort wasn't worth my while--I was thinking about trying to save some bucks. Definitely wouldn't dye a valuable old holster with my novice ham-* mitts [:D]

Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead