Five Star Leather Jackets

[ton312]

Finally. It’s over. Cordo alcohol dye did the trick.

 

[Wardo1974]

What an ordeal!

 

[handymike]

It wouldn’t look as good without the sweat, tears, and variation from the process
I think it’s gonna be awesome!

 

[ton312]

What an ordeal!

It was. But tbh I had fun with it.

 

[Wardo1974]

Yeah - once you've decided to give up, you're liberated to do anything you want.

 

[ton312]

Yeah - once you've decided to give up, you're liberated to do anything you want.

Indeed. It also helps knowing it can’t possibly get any worse.

 

[Jin431]

Finally. It’s over. Cordo alcohol dye did the trick.
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Have you sealed it already? LOoks like it has a shine to it

 

[ton312]

Have you sealed it already? LOoks like it has a shine to it

Yep. Locked up. I’m done. I thought about another coat after I buffed it out but I think I’d lose the tri-tone it has going now. It goes from black to red to tan and I think another coat would wash that all away. I’ll get better full sun pics this weekend. The alcohol based dye was interesting. You have to work pretty fast as it will evaporate from a pan surprisingly quickly. The absorption is super quick as well and it’s not too difficult to achieve uniformity. The variance in mine comes from where I was too aggressive with the sand paper, or not aggressive enough. This dye won’t do much to suede.

 

[TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead]

Could never be as bad as this dye job. So you're all right in my book.

 

[Riu]

Finally. It’s over. Cordo alcohol dye did the trick.
View attachment 334236

Congrats on your patience with this! I really thought you're going to scrap it at some point

How does the leather feel now? Some really nice shades there.

 

[jonesy86]

Finally. It’s over. Cordo alcohol dye did the trick.
View attachment 334236

A lot of work, but a great outcome.

 

[ton312]

Congrats on your patience with this! I really thought you're going to scrap it at some point

How does the leather feel now? Some really nice shades there.

It was initially pretty stiff as the alcohol dye seemed to dry it out. I buffed it out last night and will condition it today and post some pics after work. I learned a lot over the process and would like to try it again at some point. I was all over cosplay and knife maker blogs looking for tips. Some were really good. I think if I had been a bit more patient and discovered the right dye to alcohol dilution ratio I could made this thing incredible but as it stands, I’m pleased (and relieved) with the outcome.

 

[Riu]

It was initially pretty stiff as the alcohol dye seemed to dry it out. I buffed it out last night and will condition it today and post some pics after work. I learned a lot over the process and would like to try it again at some point. I was all over cosplay and knife maker blogs looking for tips. Some were really good. I think if I had been a bit more patient and discovered the right dye to alcohol dilution ratio I could made this thing incredible but as it stands, I’m pleased (and relieved) with the outcome.

Trial and error, as frustrating as it was because you didn't see the results you wanted, eventually it's down to the right materials and technique. I'm glad you persisted with this as it's not just the result but it also encourages you to try different things. Looking forward to seeing those pictures.

 

[ton312]

Morning light. I’ll buff and condition this evening. But this I can wear. No longer looks like a jacket made of Bakelite.

 

[Riu]

Morning light. I’ll buff and condition this evening. But this I can wear. No longer looks like a jacket made of Bakelite.
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I'm sure it will look even better with more wear but I just love how much character has developed already. The hide seems nothing like their steer after the treatment. Spectacular results!

 

[MrProper]

Morning light. I’ll buff and condition this evening. But this I can wear. No longer looks like a jacket made of Bakelite.
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Really nice. Congratulations

 

[PilotJens]

Damm that is looking nice .That really shows that these hides are just lacking some proper finishing technices .
Should have went with the alcohol dye on the first place.My first projects like this had a similar start .Fear and rage filled .

My project currently is shrinking my v1 Cossack and distressing it .Maybe I will do a dark brown alcohol dye overcoat .

 

[ton312]

Damm that is looking nice .That really shows that these hides are just lacking some proper finishing technices .
Should have went with the alcohol dye on the first place.My first projects like this had a similar start .Fear and rage filled .

My project currently is shrinking my v1 Cossack and distressing it .Maybe I will do a dark brown alcohol dye overcoat .

One thing I will tell you and I found this while googling about fieblings, when wet in can have a metallic green cast. You have to buff it and when a top coat/conditioner is applied it will vanish...but you will panic when you see it!

 

[MrProper]

What do you think is a good lining for 5* new CXL leather?
I thought if I should give quilted lining a try.
Or should I stick with heavy cotton drill?

 

[ton312]

I can see I missed a few spots with the top coat in full sun. About 99% of the way home though.