Leather Airbrushing Basics 

Thank you!

Definitely! Going to cover all of that! 🙂

@@DanielReachCreationsI think I just asked a similar question about dyes. 🤔 I need all the help I can get! Learning about and how to use an airbrush and dying leather as well! 🫣 Giggle-giggle!!!

Thank you! I was pretty nervous when these first came out. Glad to hear you're enjoying them. I'll definitely be doing a video on shading soon.

Yep! It's coming. :)

Definitely will be doing some of that in the future. I tried to just hit the very basics on this one.

I teach at the leather shows occasionally. 🙂

Yep. That video is coming soon. 🙂

I really like that!

Thanks Doug. You're one of the few that I've come across thats got more exp than I do. I started in my early 20s. I'm in my mid/late 40s now. Double action definitely takes a bit more time to learn, but we could also say that about a swivel knife vs a traditional blade. In the end, it's better to build the best habit from the start vs breaking an old habit to learn a new one. I'd love to see your work some day.

@@DanielReachCreations Yes, just so much more control with a double action! I was so thrilled when they came out with the controls like a full size spray gun from all my years of painting cars. That's my go to now. I believe more people would like an airbrush if they weren't afraid of cleaning and maintaining one. Hopefully you have a vid on that soon. I was thinking of modeling clay to help me learn the swivel knife instead of messing up lots of leather. Most of my airbrushing has been on models but I've done shirts, motorcycles and people lol. You can check out a little bit of it on Pappy Tinkers. I want to check out more of yours too!

@@dougmulle2627 I'll definitely have a video on how to break it down in the near future. The modeling clay is a great idea! If I give you credit for that, would you mind if I use it in a video? My only concern is how the clay would effect the blade. I.E. - would it dull the blade

@@DanielReachCreations By all means you can use that idea. Perhaps keeping a leather strop near to keep the practice of stropping the blade before each project? I'll try it this week and get back on results, or if you try it first. I have like zero natural artistic ability but leather and airbrushing are fun and easy. And getting more people involved with the hobbies is a good thing

Thats a good suggestion. I could do something like that. Let me see what I can come up with.

Exactly! Paper mask are a false sense of security... nothing more.

W.E.I.N.E.R for short?

🤣🤣😂 Okay, thats funny!

I like it!

We will link it here for you: www.weaverleathersupply.com/collections/weaver-gear/products/master-tool-flag-t-shirt

Instead of airbrushing outside, could you do it in the garage? Maybe put a heater in there?

@@DanielReachCreations Garage has the car, not much room otherwise, my usage is pretty low, not long sessions, mainly to apply leather dye to my small sheaths I make so a short time frame of using the airbrush, my first time using one and it really applies a great even coating, far better than using a dauber in my opinion ;-)

There are plenty of solutions for your issues with model building videos. Building a spray booth, venting and so on. Plus many mask options including supplied air that comes from to compressor or outside, similar to what car painters use. The nice thing to remember is that the dyes for leather isn't as nasty as automotive paints, but don't take that as it's safe to breath. With a small fan and vent system you will be plenty safe

Full face masks are not for people with glasses. I have the same issue. Check for respirator helmets or headgear respirators. Other name is also PAPR. But these are more expensive than full face masks or normal repsirators.

Also remember that with the lower pressures and tiny volume of fluid, that over spray isn't much of an issue unless you are doing big projects like saddles. I don't think I've ever gotten paint from an airbrush on my glasses in 40 years of using them

You can, but you do have to filter it first (very important!) and then thin it so it's about 40% resolene, 60% water. Spray with a large nozzle and clean after each use. Details provided by leatherworker.net

You are 100% correct! The mottled shading you mentioned is called an "orange peel effect" and is due to the lower air pressure. If it were running at 25-35 psi it would have more of a smokey effect. I can tell you that I've run this brush on my personal compressor and it performs almost as good as my $200 Iwata airbrush. And yes...definitely going to be doing a video on how to break it down and clean it. Trouble shooting gets to be a little tricky simply because it's hard to think of all the ways an aibrush can function incorrectly. Great ideas though!

@@DanielReachCreations What an awesome deal for someone getting into airbrushing. It sounds like the brush is on par with say, a Paasche Talon, and comes close to the ever impressive Eclipse. The kit price is killer. I paid more for my first brush (a Paasche Millennium), and it didn’t come with a compressor. Looks like Weaver knocked it out of the park with this one. I was thinking on the troubleshooting, maybe glazing over the basics, like bad spray pattern = clogged or cracked fluid tip. Spitting spots, could have tip dry. I see how those issues would only pop up if using stuff like Resolene or paint though, something other than dye. Again, great job on the video.

Hi Daniel, glad you addressed this. This is def. A low volume compressor. I have been looking at numerous compressors for the same psi you use, but have not yet purchased. I want this to be a one and done. Would you please share your airbrush/compressor set up that you use? Am currently looking at purchasing the Iwata Eclipse airbrush. TIA.

Yes, airbrushing is a great way to get a nice, even color on leather and it should not wear off.

Personally I only use dye in an airbrush for shading the edges of projects. If that fades, its not as big of a deal. The reason its fading over time, is because the airbrush puts on a lighter layer of dye. It doesn't penetrate as deeply. Only solution I can see would be to put multiple layers on over the course of several days.

@@DanielReachCreations That is what I figured from my experience. Sadly even acrylic paint absorbs over time as I was able to do some pretty amazing lighting effects on leather but after about 6 months it was all absorbed into the leather and it just looked black :(

@@TheNoobstalker I haven't had that issue at all. I've got pieces that are almost 3 years old that look brand new.

It's an instructional video showing how to use it! We didn't have anything besides the instructions that come with the machine and have had lots of questions on airbrushing.

I was, but that was paint and not dye. I should have been wearing a respirator, but its easy to forget sometimes. That being said, acrylic paint isn't nearly as dangerous.

I really like that, but I don't think I could say that at the start of a video. Lol!

3:00 lung transplant bad, I think I might swerve this then.

@@DS-um9hi that's wat I was talking about bur wasn't completely sure on the time, lol I've smoked 2 packs a day for 20 yrs plus other stuff, dealt with pretty bad chemicals where I was suppose to wear ppe, but never got threatened like this by a lung transplant

@@reapersritehand I mean we have all probably done silly things in our time but on the balance of risk for a hobby I will stick do the old sponge or dauber!

I would rather you never pick up an airbrush than use it in a way that puts your health at risk. Be safe my friend.

I primarily use paint on leather in my airbrush. Still need the respirator, but not nearly as bad for you.

Good question. When I talk about "always outside" I'm specifically taking about dye. When you see me airbrushing indoors, I'm using acrylic paints. I should still be wearing a mask, but I get lazy sometimes.

Correct. I was using acrylic paint. Technically I should have been wearing a mask then too.

Agreed... that's one of the reasons I use dye outside.