Bleaching Pre-Dyed Leather?

[76monza]

Anybody have any idea if you can alter the color of leather thats already been dyed. I got several deerskins that were dyed that pretty shade of work-glove yellow. I have heard RIT color remover would work, but I had a problem once when I used it on a pair of cotton fall front trouser. It took all the pigments but the yellows out... and they were canary yellow! Before I try anything, wanted to know if anyone else has tried to remove color from leather?

Smokeydays

 

[Gordon Horn]

Sunlight works. I absent mindedly left a small piece of buckskin laying on a window sill for a few weeks last summer. By the time I discovered it, it was almost white. Kinda dry also, but some leather conditioner brought it back. I was thinking about trying it on some larger pieces and then maybe seeing if smoking them a little would produce a brain tanned look. :results:

Flatlander

 

[76monza]

Flatlander,

I hadn't thought about the sun... other than the time involved that may be the simplest way.

smokeydays

 

[gnkanun]

What color are you going for?

 

[76monza]

gnkanun,

ultimately I was hoping to to turn the color back towards a buff colored bucksin. i'm just trying to get away from that work glove yellow.

smokeydays

 

[gnkanun]

I think I would try it on a small piece of scrap first. I had some of that yellow leather but I went to a tan color using fiebings dye that worked good but that was going to a darker color, I haven't tried bleaching but will be interested to hear how it works out. Good luck. :thumbsup:

 

[whiskey]

Sometimes I get a piece or that awful gold leather and to make it useable I use rit dye remover. I mix the remover in the bathtub and put in the leather. how long you leave it in will affect how much color comes out. I find that the leather comes out with a nice smoked braintan look. I have never found it to have a negative effect on the leather or the bath tub. Bleach may damage the leather or weaken it. Bleach is harsh on fabric too. I think you will like the result of the dye remover.

 

[PaulN/KS]

Ok,so after you soak it in the dye remover what is the best way to dry the leather?Just hang it and let it drip or do you need stretch it?

 

[76monza]

Whiskey,

Thanks for the info I think I'll try that rit color remover. A smoked braintan look would be perfect since I'm just making gun sleeves out of this leather.

Smokeydays