Posted 2012-08-15 3:45 PM (#146372) Subject: Leather stain for saddle?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 610 Location: Northern CA
Hi all, I just got my new custom saddle in and the color is aweful. It is supposed to be a medium oil but looks light. Well the leather color looks orange! So, since I cannot return because it was custom made, where can I purchase leather stain and what brand of leather stain can I use to darken it? A lot? This is going to need more than just Neatsfoot oil a hundred times ya know what I mean? I woul like it to look more brown/ rust in color. Any saddle makers out there? what is the proper way to do this all? It has an oil on it already.
Posted 2012-08-15 5:10 PM (#146373 - in reply to #146372) Subject: RE: Leather stain for saddle?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: high desert, CA.
There is a really knowledgeable guy on Horsecity.com, Leatherwork forum, who could probably tell ya what will work, and what will cause it to be blotchy or ugly. I have used his suggestions in the past for fit and suppling a leather saddle I was given so look him up.http://forums.horsecity.com/index.php?showtopic=47096823
Posted 2012-08-15 6:34 PM (#146376 - in reply to #146372) Subject: RE: Leather stain for saddle?
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Since it is a custom saddle and I'm sure you just paid the maker several thousand dollars to build it. Why don't you call him and find out what dyes he used and what is compatible with those dyes.
If he is not interested in your long term happiness with his product. I sure would not ever use or recommend him.
Posted 2012-08-15 8:19 PM (#146378 - in reply to #146372) Subject: CAUTION
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 376 Location: Missouri
If it is made of high quality leather, and it probably is, you need to be very careful how much, of any oil, you put on it. Too much and the leather will get so flimsy, it will be totally uncomfy.
Most of the time the staining is done in a vat. Trying to stain by hand, is real tricky. You could wind up with a spotted saddle.
I'd rather turn the garden hose on it and soak it down real good. Let it dry and that will darken it some.
Posted 2012-08-16 7:00 PM (#146403 - in reply to #146372) Subject: RE: Leather stain for saddle?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 610 Location: Northern CA
It is a treeless saddle. I did contact the "distributor" but all they said was to oil it a couple of times more. Ugh- anyways, Thanks all for the replies.
Posted 2012-08-17 8:56 PM (#146421 - in reply to #146372) Subject: RE: Leather stain for saddle?
Location: KY
I have used Feiblings Leather Dye on several saddles and been pleased with the result. Also there is a leather darkening oil called Hydrophane.....last time I bought it from VTOSaddlery.com
I have gotten the Feiblings at Hobby Lobby..... I may have mispelled these names, hopefully you can find these products. And make your saddle look like what you want.....
Posted 2012-08-21 4:37 PM (#146503 - in reply to #146372) Subject: RE: Leather stain for saddle?
Veteran
Posts: 274 Location: Memphis, TN
We have a Tandy Leather store here and the people there are always very helpful.
I bought a breast collar to match my saddle about a year after I got the saddle. Well the breast collar did not match, it was lighter in color, even though it was the same mfg color code. Guy at Tandy store looked at it and told me to soak it in Olive Oil and place outside in the Sun. Well in about 3 hours it turned the exact color as my original saddle.
They have many dye kits, just be careful as previous posting have warned.
Posted 2012-10-03 6:27 PM (#147416 - in reply to #146372) Subject: RE: Leather stain for saddle?
Regular
Posts: 98 Location: MD
I would do Neatsfoot oil before trying to stain it and let it sit in the sun as much as possible. I did that to my saddle and over the summer, it darken up really well.
Leather stain for saddle?
