Best way to dye holster from tan to black?

TenRing · November 21, 2010, 06:59 PM

I plan to buy a 4" Ruger Redhawk .44 Magnum revolver. Also, I plan to buy this Galco outdoorsman holster for it. http://store.packinheatleather.com/bgadaoduacou.html

The thing is I want a black holster to match my belt but it is only offered in tan. What is the best way to dye the holster black? I want to do it right so the color stays in and the dye doesn't rub off on my clothes. Thanks for input.

IRock · November 21, 2010, 07:32 PM

Most holsters are sealed after stain is applied. I would look for a black holster.

egor20 · November 21, 2010, 07:38 PM

Agree with IRock, its not worth the time to re-dye it, I tried with a scabbard once, it was a disaster

Pahoo · November 21, 2010, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Most holsters are sealed after stain is applied. I would look for a black holster.

This is true and for lack of a better word, it's a type of laquor. Simular to, if not a product like what Tandy sells, called Neat-Lac. If you are lucky, you can remove this with a product called Wil-Bond or simular solvent, by wiping it off. Might want to practice on the back side. Once there, use a spirit dye, also sold by Tandy. Has to be a spirit dye in order to get the penetration required. Also may have to apply multiple coats. All the time, working in a well ventilated shace. Or, buy a black holster. ......

Be Safe !!!

TenRing · November 21, 2010, 08:42 PM

Thanks for all the feedback. Now I'm looking for a black holster. The last thing I want to do is buy a $75 holster and spend $300 worth of my time into changing it.

Edward429451 · November 21, 2010, 09:25 PM

I had a brown M1A sling that I colored with (3) black magic markers and it is as black as black gets and has never bled. The poorman/lazyman way of doing it effectively. Black ink is black stain.

egor20 · November 21, 2010, 09:26 PM

TenRing

Not sure if you like Basket Weave, but this might work

http://www.cowboyneeds.com/196.html
http://www.cowboyneeds.com/196_bl_bw_rev.jpg

TenRing · November 21, 2010, 10:39 PM

Egor20, thanks for the links! This seems to be just what I need and it comes in plain black. The price can't be beat. Thanks again!!

Straightshooter629 · November 23, 2010, 02:28 PM

I'll put my 2 cents in. I have a brown Don Hume holster that I dyed black using KIWI leather dye. I cleaned the holster well using denatured alcohol with a scotch brite pad. It only took about 3 coats to get a real good black finish. After it dried overnight, I gave it a good coat of black paste shoe polish. I haven't had any problem with dye rubbing off.

TenRing · November 23, 2010, 11:51 PM

I've heard of people doing it that way but I have never tried it myself. Thanks for the tip. It is bound to come in handy since I have a number of tan holsters that I want to turn black. I tend to wear black belts and the grips on my guns are black. I also like the fact that black holsters don't stand out as much if they accidently get exposed.

November 21, 2010, 06:59 PM	#1
TenRing Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Posts: 427	Best way to dye holster from tan to black? I plan to buy a 4" Ruger Redhawk .44 Magnum revolver. Also, I plan to buy this Galco outdoorsman holster for it. http://store.packinheatleather.com/bgadaoduacou.html The thing is I want a black holster to match my belt but it is only offered in tan. What is the best way to dye the holster black? I want to do it right so the color stays in and the dye doesn't rub off on my clothes. Thanks for input.

November 21, 2010, 07:38 PM	#3
egor20 Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2010 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,824	Agree with IRock, its not worth the time to re-dye it, I tried with a scabbard once, it was a disaster __________________ Chief stall mucker and grain chef Country don't mean dumb. Steven King. The Stand

November 21, 2010, 09:26 PM	#7
egor20 Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2010 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,824	TenRing Not sure if you like Basket Weave, but this might work http://www.cowboyneeds.com/196.html http://www.cowboyneeds.com/196_bl_bw_rev.jpg __________________ Chief stall mucker and grain chef Country don't mean dumb. Steven King. The Stand

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

November 21, 2010, 07:32 PM	#2
IRock Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2001 Posts: 291	Most holsters are sealed after stain is applied. I would look for a black holster.

November 21, 2010, 08:42 PM	#5
TenRing Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Posts: 427	Thanks for all the feedback. Now I'm looking for a black holster. The last thing I want to do is buy a $75 holster and spend $300 worth of my time into changing it.

November 21, 2010, 09:25 PM	#6
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	I had a brown M1A sling that I colored with (3) black magic markers and it is as black as black gets and has never bled. The poorman/lazyman way of doing it effectively. Black ink is black stain.

November 21, 2010, 10:39 PM	#8
TenRing Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Posts: 427	Egor20, thanks for the links! This seems to be just what I need and it comes in plain black. The price can't be beat. Thanks again!!

November 23, 2010, 02:28 PM	#9
Straightshooter629 Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 475	I'll put my 2 cents in. I have a brown Don Hume holster that I dyed black using KIWI leather dye. I cleaned the holster well using denatured alcohol with a scotch brite pad. It only took about 3 coats to get a real good black finish. After it dried overnight, I gave it a good coat of black paste shoe polish. I haven't had any problem with dye rubbing off.

November 23, 2010, 11:51 PM	#10
TenRing Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Posts: 427	I've heard of people doing it that way but I have never tried it myself. Thanks for the tip. It is bound to come in handy since I have a number of tan holsters that I want to turn black. I tend to wear black belts and the grips on my guns are black. I also like the fact that black holsters don't stand out as much if they accidently get exposed.