I have an elk hide that was dyed commercially and is somewhere between yellow and brown. Tried Rit dye remover but met with no success. Any suggestions as how to remove the color from the hide?
Leather color removal
- Thread starter Cutfingers
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Va.Manuf.06
58 Cal.
Cutfingers, removal of color is not going to happen, sorry. Try dying it a color more to your liking. Use a good quality leather dye like Fiebing's, Google it if you don't have a local source. Rit dyes and color removers work okay on cloth/fabric but are useless on leather.
Acetone.
It won't/can't take all the color out. But it's the best prep for new color or finish added to leather/hide. I have used this stuff but all it is is acetone. http://www.shoetreemarketplace.com/Meltonian_Nu_Life_Color_Preparer_p/10041.htm
It won't/can't take all the color out. But it's the best prep for new color or finish added to leather/hide. I have used this stuff but all it is is acetone. http://www.shoetreemarketplace.com/Meltonian_Nu_Life_Color_Preparer_p/10041.htm
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Black Hand
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I have used bleach mixed in water. Took the dye right out of a yellow/orange hide I had and ended up with a pleasant light smoky color. I suspect that I could have removed more of the color.
I have no idea how it would work after Rit color remover, but you could try with a smaller piece of the hide as a test-piece.
I have no idea how it would work after Rit color remover, but you could try with a smaller piece of the hide as a test-piece.
I have been told, though I have not tried it, that soaking in alcohol, then squeegee off the leather will remove most of the gold color. A reapplication might be needed to for best effect.
Considering the price of good leather, I suggest using the least damaging method first, then more invasive techniques as needed. For example, using alcohol, then acetone, then bleach. IMHO, bleach will cause the leather to deteriorate, over time.
I don't know how acetone affects leather, but I suspect that removing the chrome salts with alcohol will have fewer lasting effects.
I would try each method on a piece of scrap before using it on a large piece of expensive leather.
God bless
Considering the price of good leather, I suggest using the least damaging method first, then more invasive techniques as needed. For example, using alcohol, then acetone, then bleach. IMHO, bleach will cause the leather to deteriorate, over time.
I don't know how acetone affects leather, but I suspect that removing the chrome salts with alcohol will have fewer lasting effects.
I would try each method on a piece of scrap before using it on a large piece of expensive leather.
God bless
The traditional agent for bleaching leather is oxalic acid - go to your local hardware/paint store and ask them for wood bleach which is the same thing. For leather start with a mix half as strong as the instructions for wood - if need be then strenghthen it. After wards rinse it in warm and let dry half - way then stretch it and let dry the rest of the way.
Black Hand
Cannon
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J.D. said:
Bleach is a base, and in this diluted state, not a very strong one. Keep in mind that hides are treated with a much stronger base to remove the hair. Diluted bleach doesn't harm the leather at all. I used the aforementioned hide to make winter moccasins and have used them heavily for the last 4-5 years. They are holding up just fine.
I can speak from personal experience. It works and doesn't seem to hurt the hide. What might happen using bleach AFTER using Rit dye remover, I can't say....
Maverick3855
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I have used bleach in a washing machine after Rit color remover didn't do the job too well on one of those orangish colored commercial hides and it worked quite well. I just let it soak for awhile before letting the machine cycle using hot water.
I used a fairly strong bleach solution. I think it was at least a cup but can't quite remember now. I do remember thinking it may have been too much but it worked fine.
I washed it again using a light detergent and fabric softener to remove any excess bleach.
I then Re-Dyed it using Rit "Taupe" colored dye (two packages) in the washing machine, and the color came out almost identical to some brain tan elk leggings I have.
I really was happy with how it came out.
I just hung it to dry.
I had a friend "Bea" from Brimley Michigan who washed her husband's leather vest in the washing machine and I think she may have even dried it in the dryer.
That is what gave me the idea.
It worked.
I wan't brave enough to try the dryer though .
I used a fairly strong bleach solution. I think it was at least a cup but can't quite remember now. I do remember thinking it may have been too much but it worked fine.
I washed it again using a light detergent and fabric softener to remove any excess bleach.
I then Re-Dyed it using Rit "Taupe" colored dye (two packages) in the washing machine, and the color came out almost identical to some brain tan elk leggings I have.
I really was happy with how it came out.
I just hung it to dry.
I had a friend "Bea" from Brimley Michigan who washed her husband's leather vest in the washing machine and I think she may have even dried it in the dryer.
That is what gave me the idea.
It worked.
I wan't brave enough to try the dryer though .
