Darkening a leather strap, not the shirt!

[TomB]

This is a serious question, but not life or death. I bought a brown leather strap that needed to be a custom length for one bass I use regularly. Unfortunately the brown does not go well with the brown of the bass. I’d like to darken it some and it would be perfect. I know some kind of oil would do it, but I don’t want oil or color finding its way to my shirts. Does anyone know of an oil or other treatment that would darken the leather, dry completely and be odor free (eventually), and not leach out? Thanks for considering something that may never have crossed your mind .

 

[Gopherbassist]

Don't use oil. Go to a leather supply like Tandy Leather and get some leather dye. Dye the top and not the back. Tell the clerk what you're doing and what your requirements are, and they can help you pick a dye.

Do a test on an inconspicuous area to see how many coats you need and to make sure you like the color.

 

[pingvuiini]

I used Vallejo Model Air hobby paints to give my straps a very weathered beat up look and in the case of my Flight jazz bass I colored part of the strap green. They are alcohol based and so far they haven't seemed to rub off on my clothes. These are the same paints I use to paint and weather models with.

 

[fhm555]

Don't use oil. Go to a leather supply like Tandy Leather and get some leather dye. Dye the top and not the back. Tell the clerk what you're doing and what your requirements are, and they can help you pick a dye.

Do a test on an inconspicuous area to see how many coats you need and to make sure you like the color.

You might try a little neatsfoot oil, it is made from cow bone marrow and leather sucks it up like no tomorrow. It will darken and soften leather and I've never had any come off any of the belts, shoes, baseball gloves, tack, saddles, riding chaps, holsters, etc. I've used it on over the years, but you have to be careful to not over do it because it will simply quit taking it on once the leather is saturated. Go lightly and let it rest between applications. if you get it too saturated it might come off, but I've never had it get that saturated. A little goes a very very long way.

 

[TomB]

You might try a little neatsfoot oil, it is made from cow bone marrow and leather sucks it up like no tomorrow. It will darken and soften leather and I've never had any come off any of the belts, shoes, baseball gloves, tack, saddles, riding chaps, holsters, etc. I've used it on over the years, but you have to be careful to not over do it because it will simply quit taking it on once the leather is saturated. Go lightly and let it rest between applications. if you get it too saturated it might come off, but I've never had it get that saturated. A little goes a very very long way.

I’m familiar with neatsfoot oil way back to the baseball gloves of my youth. Great stuff if a bit smelly. I may practice on a scrap piece to see if it can be contained to the finish side. The dye does sounds like a safe idea too. Thank you!

 

[waynobass]

... the brown does not go well with the brown of the bass.

Post a pic and let us decide if this is true.

 

[Formula73]

Play in a hot practice space for ages and just let your natural secretions destroy it the old fashioned way.

 

[TomB]

Post a pic and let us decide if this is true.

Hah-hah …

 

[BassicJazzy]

I think saddle soap will darken it slightly, with no risk of coming off on your clothes, plus it helps protect the leather. It's not going to darken it as much as oil though.

 

[mikeswals]

Leather dye. Thats exactly what its made for

 

[TomB]

Play in a hot practice space for ages and just let your natural secretions destroy it the old fashioned way.

Too bad bars aren’t smoky anymore, eh?

 

[jam.majors]

Get some beeswax and burnish it. You’ll take the cake of wax and rub it in deep, then use a piece of scrap leather or a dowel rod and rub furiously to heat up that wax and get it down deep. The other options will all work, but I think this would be the least odorous and definitely the least likely to stain. But it can only darken so much. And could clog the leather pores.
Leather dye is the obvious answer, like someone else said. My fear is that it can sometimes leech onto other items if not done correctly.

Good luck!

 

[SharpCat]

Angelus Leather Dye Low VOC. Per their FAQ, you can also add Acrylic Finisher for better wear. angelusdirect.com

 

[wompwomp]

unfortunate but I think you should just order your custom strap in an appropriate color. leather is colored at the tannery.

I know guys who do things like strip and recolor dress shoe leather for fun, I would not mess with this kind of a project on a guitar strap i'd just order the correct thing.

 

[lark_z]

Leather dye. It won't come off, so wear gloves when you apply it!

 

[mikecd1]

Took some of the wife's Albolene which is for cleaning and moisturizing skin and it softened and darkened my strap. Not sure how dark you want to go, but its only got a few ingredients and won't harm anything.

 

[Jazzdogg]

Depending on the color you're starting with and the color you're trying to impart, you may have luck using old fashioned shoe polish, which is just colored wax and a little solvent to make it easier to apply.

Only wax the face that the audience will see, and not the parts that will rub against your clothing.

Good luck.

 

[TomB]

Depending on the color you're starting with and the color you're trying to impart, you may have luck using old fashioned shoe polish, which is just colored wax and a little solvent to make it easier to apply.

Only wax the face that the audience will see, and not the parts that will rub against your clothing.

Good luck.

I might! Old fashioned cordovan might be pretty close. Of course, you get only one shot .

 

[Jazzdogg]

I might! Old fashioned cordovan might be pretty close. Of course, you get only one shot .

If the leather has already been sealed before you apply wax, the wax can be removed with a soft rag moistened with the appropriate solvent.

 

[BassicJazzy]

I might! Old fashioned cordovan might be pretty close. Of course, you get only one shot .

That is going to come off on your clothes. You would have better luck with something that will penetrate the leather, like oil. Even stain has less risk than shoe polish.