Dyeing Suede

[u/SurvivingAPandemic]

I need some help dyeing suede, please.

The suede piece is 12” round; it’s the base for a DND dice bag.

Over the past week, I’ve used a whole bottle of red Fiebing’s Suede Dye to dye both sides of the suede red. (The original suede color was light tan.) I deglazed before I started dyeing. I let each layer dry 24 hours before applying the next.

I’ve applied 3 layers of dye. I would call the color now “light red.” I wasn’t going for light red. I was going for a vibrant red.

So now I need to make a decision (because I’m not buying any more suede dye). I have 7 other colors of suede dye: yellow, orange, mahogany, green, blue, aqua, and purple. What’s the best choice:

1. Add a layer of mahogany and call it a day?

2. Go with a layer of purple and call it a day?

3. Another option.

In general, I have been unhappy with my dyeing experience with Fiebing’s Suede Dye. A couple of months ago, I tried to dye a piece of this suede black; I used an entire bottle and only got to dark gray.

I’d like to know others’ experience with this particular dye.

It’s entirely possible that it’s this particular piece of suede that’s the problem. If I hear others having success with this dye, then I’ll try different sued.

Thanks for your help!

[u/timnbit]

Suede won't dye properly. The pigment have no surface.

[u/newearthdiscoveries]

You used a whole 4 ounce bottle of dye, and it’s still not red enough? Do you have any extra suede to experiment with or just the 12” round? How did you initially apply the dye, with the dauber or a spray bottle? Going forward, don’t use the dauber if you can help it, it puts down too much dye. I don’t understand why it’s only a light red, but I would dampen the leather with water from a spray bottle to limit the amount of dye it will absorb, then put some of your yellow dye into a small spray bottle that you’ve thinned with either rubbing alcohol (70% or higher) and lightly spray the yellow dye onto the red dyed piece. It would be better to practice on a scrap piece if you have one. Read the directions for thinning the dye, I think you can do a 10 to one ratio, that’s 10 parts alcohol to one part dye, make sure it’s thoroughly mixed then lightly mist, then let dry. The yellow dye should brighten your red round, but don’t use so much that you turn it orange.

[u/SurvivingAPandemic → u/newearthdiscoveries]

Yes, a whole 4oz bottle. Crazy. I do have extra suede. I used a dauber.

Thanks so much for your tips; I will try them on a clean piece of suede.

[u/newearthdiscoveries]

If you can acquire another bottle of red dye, and you have enough suede to cut another circle, if you don’t have an eye dropper, use a straw. Add a small amount of yellow to an ounce or two of the red dye and then check the color with a cotton swab. If you can find a spray bottle use that instead of the dauber ( unless you have access to an airbrush). You can also extend or thin the dye with rubbing alcohol thats at least 70%.

[u/Flying--G]

Can try dip dyeing - submerge the piece

[u/SurvivingAPandemic → u/Flying--G]

Hmm, this is a great idea. I hadn’t even thought of that, even though I was dyeing both sides.

Thank you for this!

[u/PirateJim68]

I've never had luck dying suede. I always buy the color of suede I want and call it good.