How is teacore done? Can you do it at home?

[AMan]

So we all know that teacore leather is a brown hide that has been coated with a thin layer of black dye that will rub off over time, creating a pleasing patina.

I’m wondering if anyone knows what type of black dye is used so that the black topcoat can rub off over time, rather than sinking in and permanently colouring the hide black?

Has anyone tried turning a brown jacket into black teacore at home? For @A-1 ‘s Diamond Dave jacket, I remember reading in the thread that Dave coated a brown Shinki hide with a layer of bordeaux dye and then a layer of black. So it seems like leather can be made teacore without the use of a tannery.

 

[handymike]

It can be done, but it is much easier to do before the jacket is made. Ask @jonesy86 he recently dyed a jacket.

 

[Stanley Doble]

Years ago I bought a red leather briefcase at a thrift store. I didn't like the color so I bought some black leather dye from a shoe store and dyed it. It took several years but the black dye wore off in spots just as you describe. It was called Feibing's Leather Dye for dying leather shoes, boots, belts, handbags, saddles, harness, athletic equipment etc. according to the label.

The label also states that it can be removed from hands with rubbing alcohol. You could dye your coat and wipe off some of the dye with alcohol to get the effect you want, if you don't feel like waiting till it wears off.

 

[navetsea]

rather than dye evenly can you just dry brush it to make more interesting look. if the leather can absorb water then it can be dyed, but if the leather is waterproof then the dye would sit on top and later would peel off/ flake off in chunks.

 

[Dickie Teenie]

It's too soon for me to give any real world experience yet but I have several tests going on with some belts I've made. They all involved using Fiebings dyes. Various shades of brown (light, dark and chocolate) as a base coat then over that I used a resist on half, nothing on the other half which is supposed to created somewhat of an barrier between other coats though the alcohol dyes penetrate very well so I'll see how that goes. My black topcoats were what I'd call a dry rub, just enough into a dry cloth to cover a small area before reloading some more dye and moving on, trying not to over saturate the brown below. More than that I have nothing for long term experience, I'm a couple months in.

 

[Big J]

I'm sorry to say that every time I see this thread, the word 'teacore' instantly conjures images of ever so polite British 'adult movies'. The kind of thing where ladies showing ankles was all the rage.
Sorry.

 

[navetsea]

but the promise is the longer you watch the more will be shown, and climaxing with a full hardcore bworn... where the ladies drink tea straight from there teapots and all those rage....

 

[Peacoat]

but the promise is the longer you watch the more will be shown, and climaxing with a full hardcore bworn... where the ladies drink tea straight from there teapots and all those rage....

You guys are having flights of fantasy. A little ankle may have been nice, but there are so many things that are so much nicer.

 

[Big J]

@navetsea, dude! That's just plain nasty!
You're a bad influence on me lolz.

@Peacoat, I'm a married man, ankles are all I'm allowed to look at on other women.

 

[handymike]

...and toes