How to dye leather white (veg tanned belt)

[@lowellthompson8087]

I would like to say thank you for being the only information I can find on whitening leather. I have a project that is demanding an opaque blue and I just can't get the color I need, but this might just solve my problem. Thank you again and God bless.

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Awesome. I hope it helps. Thank you

[@beckycification]

Great minds think alike. I had/ have your skepticism about even being able to do this , however, your patience and resilience in doing it, however, i'm going to pass and try to see if I can find it tannery dyed. It doesn't seem cost effective and what we still don't know how long or if it will last . i've been a leather craftsman since i was 17 (1967) and have been asked a few times over the years and just passed on it but I appreciate your diligence. Thank you. Rob Leal

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Thank you for your support and comment. I need to find that guy and see if I can get an update on how it's still doing all these years later.

[@noize93]

I’ve been doing baseball gloves to white. Yes, deglaze the leather and use a fine sandpaper to rough up the fibers. Light thin strokes of Angelus paint will work and will not crack. The cracking comes when you apply too many coats. Once you apply 1-2 thin coats, you can actually apply leather dye if you want to maintain that leather feel. Note, too many coats of acrylic will just be plastic on the leather and will cause cracking in the working leather parts

[@heathyrhaskins3222]

I am so pleased to have found this video- thank you! I have 80 year old roller skate boots I just stripped years of built up acrylic paint and polish off of. This is *exactly* how they used to do it. The leather is still gorgeous 80 years later because like you said- alcohol and water break up the acrylic and over time allow for oils/conditioners to absorb. I needed to figure out the recipe, thank you so much for your trial and error. It's greatly appreciated!

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

I'm glad I could help and thank you for the great comment. I hope you are making a video of that. It's definitely something I'd like to see

[@heathyrhaskins3222]

@@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862 if I do, I promise to tag you!

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

@@heathyrhaskins3222 that would be awesome. Thank you

[@lp1043]

Man I’m glad I found this video. I think I just saved my high end bag from going into the garbage

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

I'm glad we could help

[@michaelkrikorian7639]

Great! Thank you. I will do several test samples to start. I ordered the Angulus paints for this. I appreciate your attention to my situation. I may very well be back in touch. Take care

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Awesome. I hope it works perfect for you. Feel free to reach out any time

[@CalRichieRich]

Thank you! I've spent years trying to find a way to dye a good full grain leather permanently White and remain flexible. Nobody produces a white leather dye anymore (Fiebing's discontinued "White" years ago). The only solution seems to use acrylic paint; Angelus being the best. But, like you, my test pieces cracked easily. So, I gave up on using acrylic paint on functional leather. I was going to test applying repeated layers of white shoe cream... or find another type of permanent white type of dye (oil paint + sealer?). I just discovered some flexible acrylic paint lines used by costume designers and CosPlayers on crushable EVA foam creations: Liquitex, Liquitex Pro (more flexible), HexFlex, and Plaid FX. It arrived a few days ago and I was going to experiment with it, too. Thank you for your KZbin vid. I'll try applying multiple layers of Angelus "white"/water (1:10), gradually increasing paint proportion. Finishing with sealer.

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Awesome. I hope it helps ya. Thank you for your view and comments.

[@WesternIronwoks]

Nice information. I am making a horsehair crest for a friend and dont like the look of simple dyed veggie tanned leather. so I am gonna do this so that the paint wont crack and will still give it that shine of solid paint. my project is for SCA combat so it will be abused and i dont want the paint to crack.

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Good deal. Let me know how it turns out.

[@Darth_Melvis]

Did it work planning to make a sword belt and scabbard for my sword for reenactment kit. White leather belts were common among knights during the time. Would be nice get it white without it being too stiff or cracking.

[@Darth_Melvis]

Did it work planning to make a sword belt and scabbard for my sword for reenactment kit. White leather belts were common among knights during the time. Would be nice get it white without it being too stiff or cracking.

[@thomasbeckett1245]

Really appreciate this. I spent tones of time getting 1/8 laces rite.., I use coconut butter with my dye.. a tiny amount of water... in a tin cup... and hang dry after... it’s all a challenge to get it rite.

[@dbirdez]

So glad to have come across this , Thanks!!! I'm going to try airbrushing the white shoe polish then try different finishes . I think it will be better than that vinyl feel you get with the acrylic dyes. I'll let you know the results

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Have you tried it yet?

[@MacheteBushcraftAustralia]

Have you come across Vinyl and Leather dye? It pretty much sprays and behaves just like spraypaint but it's designed to change the colour of your leather seats. You can get it from auto parts stores. White is available. I have tried it on vinyl with good results. From what I have read, you get very good results when using it on leather.

[@MacheteBushcraftAustralia]

I should add, you can get the spray in gloss as well as matt.

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

I have not. The few things I have found where not best for veg tanned leather. But this turned out beautifully and feels pretty good too. Im curious to see how it looks after a year of use though

[@MacheteBushcraftAustralia]

@@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862 100% mate. You never know how something is going to perform and age until you test it. All the best from OZ mate... Hey, I have some Dupli Color Vinyl & Fabric in White Gloss (HVP105). I might test some on veg tan for you if you like. Some vinyl dye is listed specifically for leather, this one is not... worth a test though.

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

@@MacheteBushcraftAustralia always worth a test. I love learning new things

[@jasonanthonywilper]

Nice, leather is a fantastic material

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

@@jasonanthonywilper thank you. I love it

[@valerieramirez3496]

Definitely appreciate this video! Doing some experimenting myself. Alcohol and water breaks the binder in acrylic paint I'm now experimenting with adding alittle oil.... I just like making stuff for my daughters and 2 horses! I've also tried sharpie dye but it dries too quickly so working on slowing the process! Wish I had the guts to post videos!

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Awesome. Let me know how the oil works. I'm interested

[@valerieramirez3496]

@@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862 will do!!! Curious is vegetable glycerin bad for leather? I use it as an airbrush medium mixed with water and alcohol I wonder if that would work it just dawned on me because I watched your airbrush video!

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

@@valerieramirez3496 that I would have no clue. Never even thought of it

[@tinmanandoliveoylsadventur7129]

Thanks for sharing this. I've painted things white and let it dry then as soon as I put a finisher on it, it took some paint off so I backed off of paints. I don't think that I would have painted the back white, just gum trag and slicked it, but some good ideas, thanks.

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Thank you. I hope it helps

[@donnrichardpowell9246]

Thank you for posting this video. I plan to make several white belts and this was very helpful. My first attempt did not turn out well and it cracked. Do you have any additional advice on white belts after some time has now elapsed? Has the belt held up well? Does Feibing white edge kote work on the edges? Thanks

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

@donnrichardpowell9246 i talked to the guy with this belt and few months ago. He says it still looks good. But I haven't seen it since I built it. So I'm unsure. But I wish you the best of luck bud.

[@Martyntd5]

Instead of acrylic paint, have you thought about acrylic ink? It's essentially the same, but the ink variant is made with pigment that has been milled to a much finer particle size. It's much more watery as you might imagine and soaks in, rather than sits on the surface. It's a bit more expensive than acrylic paint, but it might be worth it to save your hours of work. Daler Rowney make a good white acrylic ink. Haven't tried it, so cant say if it'll work, but could be a solution?

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

@Martyntd5 I've never heard of it actually. But it sounds like it might be worth a try for sure.

[@tylerclark3045]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

I hope it helped

[@tuffy2242]

Have tried oil-based white paint? (Like artist’s oil paint). It might soak in better. Acrylic is plastic and won’t soak into leather, it remains on the surface, which is why you see the cracking.

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

I have not. Might have to give it a go though

[@jeffallen3382]

Oh thank you so much for posting this video! I have been looking everywhere for how to make white leather! You have earned a subscriber for life man, thank you so much! I'll follow your IG account as well!

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Thank you so very much. I do hope it helped.

[@jeffallen3382]

@@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862 I'm sure it will! I don't have any 2-3 oz leather that I need for the project at the moment, but as soon as I pick some up, I'll let you know how some sample pieces I do work out. (I think Weaver has a sale going on...) I have some of that white Angelus paint sitting right here to try out for this too. If you follow my IG account I'll post photos there or I can tag you as I get some of that worked out . I have some thicker leather to try it out on and see how it goes. But the final piece I am doing will be most likely 2-3oz. When you used that white shoe dye on the back side, did that mix with the water or was that not water soluble? Thanks again!

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

@@jeffallen3382 on the back of didn't seem to bother anything really. But it didn't have the great benefit I thought it would. But it did still make a difference

[@jeffallen3382]

@@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862 I see. Thank you very much!

[@michaelkrikorian7639]

Thank you for your quick response. Okay - Let me repeat for clarity, I dye the veg tanned leather first white and red using Angelus acrylic paint (both white and red) then apply sealer/resist over these areas then apply the black dye. How much will the black dye bleach into the colored areas? Should I use Angelus black dye instead of the ecoflow black dye I have? What sealer/resist do you recommend? Thank you

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Correct. The black dye may run into the groove you cut for the outside of the letters or design. But no further. Especially if you resist properly. The eco Flo dye will be fine. I use feibings usually but eco Flo should be the same. It's eco Flo or feibings pro resist. Can also use super sheen if you have it.

[@lorenlizotte]

Thanks for the tip on the burnisher. I was afraid a red dye ruined mine today. :(. Now i know.

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Glad I could help. Thank you for the view and comment. Feel free to ask any question you may have

[@tammylharper2658]

Thanks for sharing I learned several things that I never knew. I initially found this video after a friend recommended that I search KZbin for help. After watching this I'm certain that you can help me and I would be grateful if you could possibly take the time to hopefully give some direction! I purchased a new white leather jacket to "dip dye" or "ombre" after seeing one recently and I am a "diy'er" and I am determined to follow through in doing this!! The ombre I will call it is made up of a beautiful mix of turquoise & teal. The bottom starts out very dark and as you begin to move upward you use water and a wide paint brush to pull the dark from the bottom with the dilution of the water making each swipe lighter as move on up toward the top. I have been able to gather bits & pieces of instructions here and there but much to my surprise nothing to help me achieve a gorgeous jacket with colors of the "Emerald Coastal" water. I have read to use 3 or 4 different items and techniques to prepare the leather (new) before applying the actual dye. I know the technique well if I were doing it to a denim jackets etc. However the leather has gotten me a bit shaken b/c the last thing that I want to do is to ruin the awesome jacket. PLEASE help and advise me so that I may move on along with my project before summer gets here again lol....

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Oh wow. Thank you for your confidence in me. I have never done anything of the sort. I do know leather though. With out knowing the kind of leather or dye your using i wouldn't be tons of help. But I do know that the preparation of the leather would be of key importance. Angelus dye or paint might be the way to go as well. I would recommend finding an item of the same kind of leather and doing a practice run. I am sorry that I can't be of more help with this

[@coreyz.2800]

So, 4 years later and I'm wondering if you've found a faster yet equally reliable (i.e. won't crack or flake off) method of whitening leather? I was also wondering if you've experimented with using the "neutral" dye Angelus (and probably other leather dye companies) offers. The purpose of neutral (or colorless) dye is to dilute colored dyes for lighter and/or more subtle shades, and I'm curious how it might react with the acrylic white paint, with or without the water. I've got a theory that because it's made to permeate leather maybe the neutral dye will help the acrylic "take" to the leather more readily and thus require fewer coats. Problem is I don't have the materials or even a consistent workspace to actually test this myself, so I figured I'd reach out to someone more experienced and see if it's something you've already tested. I really want to figure out how to whiten veg-tanned leather because while it's easy to just go out and buy white chrome-tanned leather unfortunately the chemical process of chrome tanning makes it so the leather can't be tooled.

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

No I have not. I do still use the Angelus and have not experimented further with mad whitening anything. I have recently just done solid white painting of leather and sealing it. So far that is working well but not exactly the same as in this video. But I know the guy who owns this belt and as of a couple months ago, it's still looking good and doing good

[@coreyz.2800]

@@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862 May still be a long way off but I've been looking to get into making championship belts, primarily for the local independent promotions, and I want to be able to offer the white strap option. But as you probably know there's a lot of "real estate" to cover with those belts so I was hoping to find a a faster method than what you've outlined here while still being more durable than paint. I just don't see the paint method holding up on a belt that's going to be stuffed into travel bags for 2-7 hour road trips and flights all around the country as well as likely used as a "weapon" in dozens of matches.

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

@coreyz.2800 lol you got a definite point there. Have you considered wrapping thicker veg tanned with white chrome tanned?

[@coreyz.2800]

@@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862 The trouble there is it would probably cover up any tooling done to the veg-tanned leather. Stamped borders, decorative stamping between the plates, texturing in the snap box, etc.

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

@coreyz.2800 you said that in first message. My bad. Hmm. I do apologize then. I haven't experimented further

[@MrTindallb]

Mardi Gras belt!? Awesome job brother! White is my favorite color!

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Thanks brother

[@michaelkrikorian7639]

Hello: I have a request for a guitar strap. He wants it black (front and back with a black leather lining) but he also wants some graphics such as white text and a red heart on the black strap. I have done a lot of research and I came across your video. The strap is 2 1/2" wide belt and the white lettering should be about 1 1/2" as well as the red heart and the white peace sign. I can tool the graphics, but dyeing them white and red has me concerned. Any advice is welcome.

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

I recommend using angelus acrylic leather paint only. And you paint it on the Virgin leather. Then use a sealer/resist over the painted areas before dying the rest of the leather.

[@BeMoreGooderPeople]

Another knowledge bomb. Thanks Bubba.

[@trasiefuller6107]

I have off white boots. They're leather.. I want them paper white..which product do I need to buy?

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

That white play at Walmart is very good. The wet kind I used in video

[@loboloco08]

Good evening, thanks for your video. I’m thinking in buying a white %100 lamp leather jacket ? from Amazon or at least that’s the description so idk if I should and idk how hard would be keeping in good condition overtime?

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Usually store bought leather can be already treated and easier to clean. Some times they will even suggest the best cleaner for their product.

[@nyssafawcett5852]

Hi there! I found this video and damn is it helpful! I had a question! Im working on a project that requires me to also have it weather proof for outdoors, I do LARP and our belt favors get worn year around. So my question was to seal it even further, co9uld you do coats of a plastic sealer like plasti-dip? Thanks!

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

The Angelus brand makes a sealer that should work nicely. And if you land the bottom raw ish you could always oil that no problems too

[@mickeywilsonbushcraftandsu2513]

Good share. Well done.

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Thank you very much

[@binswap]

Would this work on chrome tanned leather as well? if not, what would you recommend to help the paint not crack?

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

I have not tried it. But some tests will answer that question. Give it a try. I do think it would also depend on the finish of leather. I know white paint pens work very well on it. I use them to write on chrome tan.

[@jonatkins2339]

I paint it a Pair of ostrich Boots with that Angela's paint I never mixed any water with it Haven't had any cracking Did have to put 3 Coats on

[@davidgsolis]

Thanks for sharing! Have you tried using carnauba cream on white pieces?

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

No. The idea was to get it dyed solid white by doing it myself. Not buying it already done. And never tried the cream. What's it do?

[@davidgsolis]

@@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862 It's a wax cream to give a final polish to leather, it feels really nice. I usually apply it after dyeing veg-tan leather but usually with dark colors and wanted to see how it works with white since I've got a project and want to dye as well in white. I think I'll give it a try and let you know how it went!

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

@@davidgsolis ok awesome. Thank you. And yes please do let me know.

[@RobertoDTavares]

I was looking for the same process of making leather whiter, I found this solution. Try to use this process: 1# - Hydrogen Peroxide (200 Volumes) 100 ml per liter of water - Let the leather soak for 24 hours. (remove excess with water do not forget to wear gloves with this product) 2# - Sodium bicarbonate 7g per liter of water (more bicarbonate you use more stiffer the leather will become) (Sodium bicarbonate is the same used in cooking) - Soak from 40 minutes to 1 hour. 3# - After this process you will need to stretch the leather and let it dry in the shade. The leather will become "whiter" thus guaranteeing better dyeing.

[@Spartacus4000]

Do you think this method would stand up to motorcycle riding? Have a leather armor project lined up (designed to look like vegetas armor from dragon ball)

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Yes I do. Or do a couple layers of straight angelus. Do multiple testing to see what's best for you

[@robertdelisle2412]

It's been almost a year . How is the color holding up ?

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Seen the guy a couple months ago and he told me it still looked great. But I haven't personalities seen it

[@timovanseggelen1670]

Do u think breaking it down whit alchohol and then soaking the leather whould work better

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

I'm not sure. It would be something worth trying.

[@basstrooper8663]

Hey broseph. Trying to do this for leather holsters. Any thoughts?

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Buy white leather. Other wise be real patient. Bout my best recommendation. You could build the holster abs then paint it white straight up and seal it. I'm not sure how long it would last though.

[@mjuarez781]

Thanks for the vid!!

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Of course. Thank you for the view

[@hrtg1942]

I am experimenting with using sublimation on leather. The lighter the start the more any color pops. Any tips of a quick way to lighten the leather color. My intention is to have custom colored or pattered leather for horse tack. What do you think?

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Not sure how to do sublimation. But getting leather light in my opinion just takes patience and realizing short cuts won't make it easier

[@suriyocandy]

cute dog at 0:00

[@jc-le4sf]

There is a difference between a dye and a paint. Please advise and re educate.

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Yes there is

[@fclp67]

So I'm fucked I guess my shoes have a non acrylic white finish and there isn't a single thing on the market that makes it feel the same as original

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Oh goodness. I wouldn't know what to tell ya or how to help without having them in my hands. But one of the Beaudoin things about leather is it ages and changes

[@gregahunt]

geez louise! what a pain in the butt dyeing leather white can be

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Very much so

[@badpixels_]

Acrylic painting is not good for painting leather shoes. It is bad. I came here looking for a real solution.

[@Woodchuckinthesouth]

First commenter!!! Woo! Lol

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

Lol thanks brother. Great video by the way. Looking forward to the next one. Y'all check out the warrior woodsman woodchuck

[@Woodchuckinthesouth]

Seriously. Leather is your craft, man. Useful and rugged. Always a great day watching your videos.

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

@@Woodchuckinthesouth thanks brother. Same to you

[@earlrussell1026]

You must love Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. You must love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus the anointed is Lord! Repent and be baptized and believe the Gospel.

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

I do. And thank you

[@dimitrygornomelikov3146]

ILL NEVER WATCH THIS VIDEO !

[@sabetoutdoorsurvival1862]

well we appreciate your comment and interaction either way