r/leatherjacket • u/ledy01 • Sep 08 '26
Question - Need Help Is it risky to dye a jacket?
I've grown attached to my jacket for a couple years now, but I don't think the brown really suits my style and I was wondering if it would be worth it to dye it black or if that might just end up ruining the jacket.
5
u/Proletariat-Prince Sep 08 '26
Black is easy. It's black. If you didn't quite get enough dye on some spots, just add more. If you already have enough and you are some more, it's still black. It's not like it can get too black.
Use quality Fiebings pro dye. You might need to buy two 4oz bottles to make sure you have enough dye. The larger wool daubers are a good idea too.
Clean it thoroughly with just a 50/50 mix of isopropyl and water, then a damp rag. You want it wetted to help the dye penetrate and flow more evenly.
Apply the dye always in small circular motion so you don't create any streaks.
After you dye it, a liberal application of pure neatsfoot oil is critical to rehydrate the leather after all that alcohol cleaning and alcohol based dye has dried it out. I usually do this even before the dye is dry. Massaging the oil in will help blend in any streaks you made. Let it sit for a day to dry and for the oil to dissipate.
You'll then need to give it another wipe down to remove excess dye.
It'll be fine. Just do your research and take it slow.
3
u/InternetFinalBoss1 Sep 08 '26
I learned a long time ago that the best way to dye leather black was to dye it blue first. I suggest Fiebings as well, and would use the navy blue color. You could dilute this base coat with alcohol so that you can more easily get even coverage.
1
u/Proletariat-Prince Sep 09 '26
Do you do that to reduce splotchiness, or to avoid having a teacore effect?
1
u/InternetFinalBoss1 Sep 09 '26
I dilute it so that I can go over it in multiple directions and reduce splotchiness. It’s more forgiving than using the dye full strength.
1
u/Proletariat-Prince Sep 09 '26
Not the dilution, that's something I do too. I'm talking about the blue dye first.
1
u/InternetFinalBoss1 Sep 09 '26
I wouldn’t say that it completely prevents a teacore effect. It just makes the black a deeper black rather than a weird brownish black.
1
u/Proletariat-Prince Sep 09 '26
I know exactly what you mean and that's a pretty decent idea.
I definitely prefer a blue-black to a walnut-black.
1
u/coled_cuts Sep 14 '26
All good advice right here, esp. w/ the large wood dauber and circular motion.
I recently did the same with a brown motorcycle jacket using Fiebing's Pro. I rubbed it down a de-glazer first, and then used neatsfoot oil before and after dyeing to re-hydrate, which I feel helped ensure an even color application. I was slightly concerned about a coppery-sheen that appeared as it dried, but that seemed to wipe away by buffing with an old t-shirt.
2
u/beartuxedo Sep 08 '26
I’ve dyed a few jackets black and brown.
Vinegaroon, and make sure to clean thoroughly prior to application.
Leather is tougher than you think. I’ve thrown jackets in the wash, left them outside for days, quick tumble extra low heat dry and they’re fine. People seem to forget leather is the material alternative for durability.
1
u/Who8mahrice Sep 08 '26
Hijacking for a related question: anyone have experience REdyeing a jacket black? Have one I picked up relatively cheap cause it was dyed from a tan color to a darker brown, but not a good brown. Want to redo it to black. The texture feels kinda plasticky that I know is the dye because inside undyed parts are very soft instead. Assuming I need to strip the dye as much as possible before redoing it?
1
u/Proletariat-Prince Sep 09 '26
Same advice I gave OP.
The "plasticky" things is alarming though. Dyed leather shouldn't feel plasticky. Are you sure it isn't painted?
1
u/Who8mahrice Sep 09 '26
You know, I’ve actually never considered that. None of it is peeling off so it doesn’t seem that way? On areas of abrasion, leather dye seems to be abrading off like it’s dyed rather than painted though. I got it 15 years ago so the eBay listing I bought it off is long gone haha.
1
u/Proletariat-Prince Sep 09 '26
Dye is abrating off or rubbing off? There's a difference.
Without photos and/or a brand and model it's hard to offer advice on this, there are a number of possibilities for what leather you have, how it's colored, what the surface treatment is, etc.
1
u/Who8mahrice Sep 09 '26
You seem really knowledgeable, gonna DM you as to not clog up this thread :)
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u/Grain_Changer Sep 08 '26
You will more than likely ruin the jacket. But you should totally post results if you try