Walnut dye- need to set?

[crockett]

I want to dye some leather brown using walnut hulls (well actually pecan hulls but I'm told they will also work). In any event I plan the break up the hulls (husks- the green outer covering) and soak then boil and strain out the plant fibers, etc- then cold soak the leather in the dye. I am afraid to add a mordant because it may change the color of the dye.
So if I use straight hulls/husks and get a brown color on the leather (Tandy Oak Tanned- for a knife sheath)- is that it? Do I just let it dry? Is the stain an acid? Do I need to soak in a solution of water and baking soda? Do I need to set the dye to prevent it from leaching out on clothing or is the color fast? To preserve the sheath I was planning on applying some neats foot oil- is that okay?
When I am done can I store the left over liquid in a glass container and re-use it?
Thanks for any help.

 

[LRB]

Supposedly, a little iron, such as nails in the water will help it set and give a richer color. When you store it, add a little alcohol to it, to help keep it from forming mold. You could also freeze it.

 

[necchi]

I've used my homemade walnut stain for several years now, don't know about pecan, but I;ll tell ya about walnut.
The stuff is NOT acidic, it actually has a high sugar content, that's why it'll pick up arobic molds easily, the mold doesn't hurt anything it's just icky. For long term storage I just can it when it's hot, like jelly, no air/no mold. it'll keep a loong time in sealed glass in the Fridg.

On leather you got it right, just get it wet and let it dry, ya hafta work the leather soft again, just like any time leather gets saturated. I use Snow seal after staining to protect the color. If unprotected the color will transfer when wet! The neats foot oil should work.

I have done some canvis/fabric pieces,(covers for non-pc camp items),pre wash and dry to shrink first, then saturate the canvis, squeeze out excess, and toss them in the dryer on hot to set the color. so far that's worked for 4 years with only slight fading of color from the sun and rain.

If there is something I haven't covered just ask

:thumbsup:

 

[crockett]

Thanks All

 

[dave payne]

could you use a mordant to make it more permanant..and if so...what would you use...or try...

 

[mazo kid]

could you use a mordant to make it more permanant..and if so...what would you use...or try...

Walnut does not need a mordant, but evidently color can vary if you do use different mordants:
Mordant Color
Walnut husks+Alum
rich golden browns, mahogany brown

Walnut husks+Copper
deep chocolate brown, dark brown

Walnut husks+Iron
black

Walnut husks+Tin
rich brown with somewhat honey tones

Walnut husks (No mordant)
Dark brown

Just do a search for "walnut dye mordant" and you should find enough reading to keep you occupied for quite a while!