Dye 76 Key Features:
- Transparent coating allows the natural grain to show through — akin to varnishing fine wood.
- Provides bright, vivid color enhancement over existing aniline or bronzing-stained dye effects (e.g., over Aniline Staining Dye 21).
- Revitalizes and enriches aged or faded finishes without masking the leather’s character.
- Suitable for use as a final color gloss coat or layered over base dyes.
- Water-based, leather-safe formula compatible with Leather Doctor® systems.
| Property | Aniline Gloss Coating Dye 76 | Leather Pigment 54 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Transparent surface coating dye | Micro-pigment paint-like finish compact resin |
| Grain visibility | High (grain shows through like wood varnish) | Low (masks imperfections, solid opaque look) |
| Application purpose | Enrich color, gloss, retain natural look | Camouflage damage, uniform solid appearance |
Blending Tip:A 1:1 mix (Pigment 54 : Dye 76) produces a translucent hybrid finish.
Best used when moderate damage needs camouflaging while preserving some grain visibility. This offers a balance between optimal appearance and a natural tactile feel.
- Final gloss color coat over Dye 21 bronzing stain effects
- Restoration of faded or uneven aniline finishes
- Hybrid finishes for damaged aniline, pigmented or semi-aniline leather
- Layered Transparency
- Like watercolor painting, color intensity builds up with each layer. The more layers, the deeper the color.
- Overlapping Strokes
- Applying strokes on top of each other increases color depth, enabling shading and visual richness.
- Diluting for Lighter Shades
- To achieve a lighter or more subtle tone, dilute the original dye with the 'Clear' component.
- Always Test First
- Conduct a color test before full application to confirm the desired outcome.
- Test Application Method
- Different tools and methods can yield varied results. Always test your application approach beforehand.
- Recommended Tool: Airbrush
- For best consistency, use an airbrush with 80 to 100 psi pressure.
- Other Methods
- Varnishing brushes or folded towels can also be used but may produce more artistic or varied results.
- Two Shading Techniques
- Method 1: Airbrush
- Apply fine, even coats with a Paasche airbrush for a smooth, professional finish.
- Method 2: Hand Brushing or Padding
- Use brushes or padding for a “salvage” look, emphasizing artistic or antique-style shading.
- Pre-Mixing with ‘Clear’
- Mix with 'Clear' before application to control the starting intensity. Depending on the tool used, the finish can range from clean and uniform to uniquely shaded.
Refer to the image antique-shading-with-clear.jpg:
- First Row: Undiluted Antique-Brown applied with increasing layers from right to left.
- Second Row: Antique-Brown mixed with 3 parts ‘Clear’, with intensity increasing from right to left.
The shading in this example is achieved using a cotton bud to demonstrate overlapping and blending effects — perfect for visualizing the "salvage" technique.
1️⃣ Surface Preparation
✅ Clean & degrease:
- Clean with Prep 7.7 → Soft 3.8 → Rinse 3.0 (remove body oil, soiling).
- If necessary, degrease with Degreaser 2.2 + Acidifier 2.0 on sweat spots.
✅ Dry fully before dyeing.
2️⃣ Base Staining Dye — Aniline Staining Dye 21
- Apply by airbrush / sponge / padding cloth.
- Build up color gradually in thin coats; let each layer dry before next.
- Allow full drying (12–24 hours recommended).
3️⃣ Surface Color Gloss — Aniline Gloss Coating Dye 76
- Apply in light even coats by spray or sponge.
- Allow drying between coats (can do 1–3 coats depending on desired gloss & intensity).
- Mix Dye 76 : Pigment 54 = 1:1 for a translucent coating that helps camouflage blemishes while retaining some grain visibility.
4️⃣ Topcoat Sealer
- For extra protection, seal with Aniline Finish Topcoat Gloss 76, Leather Finish Topcoat Matte 54 or Leather Finish Topcoat Satin 54.
5️⃣ Rub-Resistant Protection
| Dye/Pigment Type | Product/Ratio | Function |
| Structure Dye Staining | Dye 21 | Transparent Staining Effect - Enhances the natural beauty, depth, and character of the leather grain. |
| Surface Dye Coating | Dye 76 | Transparent coating allows the natural grain to show through — akin to varnishing fine wood. |
| Surface Pigment Coating | Pigment 54 | Opaque, paint-like appearance — effectively conceals surface imperfections and repairs. |
| Surface Hybrid Coating | 1:1 Pigment 54 : Dye 76 | Translucent, masks damage, cover blemish, retains gloss |
- Creating a random two-tone leather design involves applying two contrasting or complementary colors in a way that appears organic, spontaneous, or naturally aged.
- This design technique is often used on vegetable-tanned, aniline, or pull-up leathers to give them a unique, artisanal, or vintage look.
- Here’s how random two-tone leather effects are typically created — either in a tannery setting or by leather artisans:
1️⃣ Hand-Staining / Ragging
- A base dye is applied to the leather evenly.
- A second dye (darker or contrasting) is wiped, brushed, or ragged on in a random pattern.
- The artisan may use crumpled cloths or sponges to achieve unpredictable streaks and patches.
- Blending is done selectively to leave some areas lighter and others more saturated.
2️⃣ Spray Shading
- After a base color is applied, a second tone is airbrushed or misted unevenly.
- The operator targets edges, panel seams, or random areas to build a natural-looking gradient or shadowing.
- The spray gun or airbrush is adjusted for fine control to keep the look irregular.
3️⃣ Resist Techniques
- A resist (such as oil, wax, or a water-repellent product) is applied selectively before the second dye.
- When the second dye is applied, it won’t take evenly — leaving lighter patches where the resist was.
- This creates a mottled, marbled, or cloud-like two-tone effect.
4️⃣ Crinkle or Compression Dyeing
- The leather is crumpled, folded, or wrinkled before or during application of the second dye.
- The dye penetrates the high points more than the low points, creating a random, distressed two-tone look.
5️⃣ Pull-up effect (oil-wax blends)
- The leather is dyed a deep base color, then heavily conditioned with oils and waxes.
- When stretched, bent, or handled, lighter undertones or the natural leather shade show through at stress points, creating an organic two-tone effect.
1️⃣ Degrease, Strip, Clean, Rinse, Hydrate, Soften leather accordingly.
2️⃣ Apply base color using Dye 21, Dye 76 or Pigment 54 (Leather Doctor® or equivalent).
3️⃣ Let dry and smooth as needed.
4️⃣ Apply the secondary color by ragging, spraying, or wiping irregularly.
5️⃣ Blend transitions if desired using a damp sponge or additional base dye.
6️⃣ Seal with an appropriate topcoat (e.g. Gloss 76, Satin 54 or Matte 54 (Leather Doctor® or equivalent).
7️⃣ Finish with rub-resistant protector like Leather Condition B.
✅ The randomness comes from human application, natural leather grain variations, and sometimes chemical reactions between dyes and finishes.
✅ Many high-end designer leathers (e.g. in Italian tanneries) achieve this look through layered, labor-intensive processes.
✅ The design is usually not 100% repeatable, which adds to its uniqueness.
Aniline Leather Redyeing Kit A7.cl
A complete solution for restoring and recoloring aniline leathers with precision and artistry.
Updated: April 8,, 2025 | July 4, 20125 | July 5, 2025 | November 27, 2025 by Roger Koh