Dyeing a saddle

[myhorsefred]

Has anybody ever used a leather dye on a saddle?

One of my saddles is faded quite badly and I'm fed up of looking at it! It was black, but the seat has faded so much its got a green tinge to it now! (no mould, just lack of colour)

I'm thinking about buying a black leather dye, and just wondered if anyone has dyed a saddle successfully? thanks

 

[flyingfeet]

I've used a black permenant marker to touch up a saddle. I would be wary of dyeing anything that comes into contact with your joddies!!!

 

[wench]

Gold lable do something called magic black, that will sort the problem out

 

[darksecret99]

I tried using dylon shoe dye (supposed to be waterproof etc!!) it gave an odd metalic finish and rubbed off on white saddlecloths etc for ages afterwards, so.... not really reccomended!!

 

[Orangehorse]

I have used leather dye on a brown saddle that worked quite well but not on the seat parts.

I know what you mean, because I have a black dressage saddle that has a greenish tinge. I haven't had the courage to dye it yet, although I have bought the bottle.

When I do I will ride in dark breeches first. The big danger would be out in rain in light coloured breeches.

It does need a bit of practice to get a nice smooth result, so start in a place that doesn't show too much first.

 

[unicornleather]

Becareful with leather dyes, they are usually anilene dyes and are carcinogenic and if they come into contact with your skin they can leech through it into your blood stream, i.e. not wearing gloves whilst applying it and being asorbed through your jods when you ride on it afterwards!
We use these dyes in the saddlery trade sometimes but not if we can help it and we use thick gloves and well ventilated premises to work in. Dyed leather as others have mentioned will have a funny "bloom" on it and will need "fixing", Resolene (made by Fiebings)is good for that, it's a water resistant finish that seals the dye, the down side of this is it makes the leather very shiny,you can buy it from shoe shops usually and some tack shops. When I have a saddle in my workshop that has faded, I use water stain to stain it down then use a little cod liver oil and finish it off with Aussie's leather food, safer than the dyes I mentioned earlier.
If you are near me (Caterham in Surrey) and you decide to go down the "dyed leather" route and want some Resolene I have some in my workshop if you find you can't get it anywhere else, Oz

 

[myhorsefred]

Thanks everyone.

Unicornleather - thanks. Unfortunately I'm in west wales, miles away from you! Have pm'd you though.