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acol - Posted - 02/20/2014: 09:35:08
Hi, not sure if im in the right place but wondering if anybody has experience of staining or dyeing goatskin. Its for a furniture building project and am looking to achieve a similar effect to the picture below ie: an uneven/blotchy color effect where the natural grain of the skin is retained. I want a charcoal grey color but not tied to it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Rizo - Posted - 02/20/2014: 10:04:37
I'd think any alcohol based bye would do. I've "watered" them down more with grain alcohol to keep it from being so intense and letting the natural variation in the skin. Look for a skin with variations in pattern and thickness, the dye usually accentuates those.
Look up John Balch though and send him a PM, he's the expert.
Where are you from in Eire?
acol - Posted - 02/20/2014: 10:41:43
Ive got two full natural skins and and a few old badhran skins to practice on. I was thinking of using aniline dye which when used on wood retains and accentuates the natural variations.
I'll try yer man and see what he thinks, thanks.
I'm in sunny Dublin by the way.
Fathand - Posted - 02/20/2014: 12:39:36
Fiebings leather dye works excellent and comes in a variety of colours. I don't know about splotchy grey though. you may have to practice with multiple colours.
jonredmond - Posted - 02/20/2014: 15:04:16
I have used both dyes and thinned down artists oil paints to stain goatskin. I just kept adding light thin coats of color onto the stretched skin with brushes and rags untill I achieved the desired tone. Let it dry between coats so that you can see the true color. You could also use artists acrylic paints. The color will be mottled acording to the natural grain and texture of the skin. Have fun.
