Leather workers...I need help!

[Gerry]

I have an old It's George case with what I think is grey stained Eel skin pattern. The other day I was cleaning the case with a magic eraser and the grey started coming off to reveal white leather underneath? no biggie cause it was wearing thin around the top of the lid where I always carry it anyway.

My question is this....can I stain/color the leather again? I'm sure I'll never match the stock grey, but how about black? and where can I get the supplies? Thanx,

 

[CrownCityCorey]

Hmmm........tough one. We never work with Eel. Hit up "Jack Justis" or "JB Cases" on here.

 

[jimM]

I'll try.

It sounds like you have a printed and top finished leather. Basically it is a painted leather. That is usually what happens when a sprayed finish is worn off. The leather underneath is usually white or some other light color.

My best advice, if you agree with my asessment of the leather, is to go to a shoe repair store and try to get a shoe dye that is usually made for womens' shoes. These are surface dyes because many of the colors on womens' shoes are not natural, like grey, red or blue. You may be able to match it closely.

Hope this helps,
Jim

 

[spktur]

If you are going to do it yourself, the best thing to do is go to a darker color. But either way the best place to find the supplies is tandyleatherfactory.com.

 

[Hunter]

Any good shoe shop will dye it for you pretty reasonably, too. They always have to go darker, though... Good luck!


Steve

 

[Gerry]

Thanks everyone! it's actually my wifes case and She said the same thing about a shoe repair place for supplies. Maybe I'll just strip off the rest of the color and start over. It comes off pretty easy with a magic eraser. I'm gonna try to go with a color I've never seen on a George...within reason Once I get it dyed I'll post some pics....

 

[junior]

"paint"

I have a Whitten that had similar problem but was told it couldn't be dyed due to the type of leather. I went to auto parts store and got upholstery/leather/vinyl spray paint and it was simple and came out really good. I "copied" a two tone pattern that Whitten uses. Took awhile to mask, but I'm happy with it.

 

[Gerry]

cool!....thanks for the info.

I have stripped most of the grey off, and now the case looks kinda badazz! IT has a white/grey "ghostly" look to it like weathered old white leather luggage. I might leave it alone.

I also just traded away one of my cues, and I have a REAL nice New York Case Co. case coming as part of the trade.....can't wait! The wife just might get her case back one of these years!

 

[coryjeb]

Gerry- I think that stripped look is pretty cool looking, I'd leave it.