Initial report on testing samples (for the bored and/or folks needing a rabbit hole), things I have learned:
DON'T USE CHROME TAN FOR PATTERN OR TEXTURE WORK
Chrome tan (which uses Chromium salts for the tanning process to make it softer, faster) does not hold an imprint the way you want it to. Why? Because the whole point of chrome is to even out the leather, soften it up, and make it look smooth and pretty, the fiber tenacity is purposely loosened. That's what the chemicals DO. On purpose and everything. Can you do form work with it? Probably, ask someone who has tried it the rumors on the internet say it's not going to be a happy ending. I gave up on this rabbit hole.
WAYS YOU CAN "DYE" VEG TAN WHITE
Bleaching is not an option - Bleach turns it black. Fun fact! By which I mean any base (bleach, baking soda, etc). Also, makes it hard and stiff (and not in a fun way, folks!).
In this case, dyeing is just nestling the pigment between the fibers - Yep, that's basically what "dying" means in this case. Own it, say it out loud, believe it. You will fight it, you will want to fight it, you will search the internet, swear it's not true, know there is a secret spell out there which NO ONE HAS DISCOVERED YET...they haven't discovered it yet for a reason. And even if it's out there, you're gonna need to pursue it for the rest of your life. (Pick a battle...pick fewer battles, put some back this can be one of them, just back away slowly and it won't notice.)
Nestling it is. I want it to bleed white if I scratch it. I'm in, how? There are at least two ways I've learned how to do this:
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Waterbased: mixing your favorite white pigment paint, water it down A LOT (the internet varies but start with more water than paint and end with more paint than water). Water will harden your leather with that many coats (I do mean over 20). Yes, you can solve that, it's not awful and it can be a superpower. You do you, boo, and make it work for you. I found one video on the internet where it was successful. One. And I don't have that kind of time or rather, I have more fun things to pursue in that same time. Moving on.
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Oil based: Same idea using neatsfoot oil (or your favorite food-based oil although the stories of squirrels eating leather bags because of peanut oil are hilarious - pick your own adventure here). The solution I was told was 94% oil to 6% paint. 25 layers later it was definitely white hued. If it's mandatory, I recommend this of the options available. Invest time and patience.
WHAT DID TESTING PROVE
Being stubborn is time consuming. Oh, and to get the leather white more than skin deep takes time to let it soak in and time because while you're waiting for it to soak you have 15 minute increments and that's not quite enough time for many of the other things I wanted to get done.
It can be done. I preferred the oil/paint vs. the water/paint.
** WHAT DID I DECIDE?**
Paint the darn thing.
AFTER ALL THAT?!?!
Yep. I have the samples, I played with solutions and percentages and all that, I gave it 48 hours of testing and, I'm letting it go.
WHAT, PAINT?
Oh! Now here's where it gets fun!
Next up in my adventures:
Unicorn Spit vs Angelus White Paint vs Fiebings Acrylic Dye (White) vs Zelikovitz Professional Waterbased Leather Pigment Dye (White).
Planned tests:
- Paint and compare the colors
- Bend test - unsealed
- Bend test - sealed
I'll bring pictures for that one.
fallow ibex
boreal tartan
lilac tree
heady garnet
winter berry
oblique sphinx
ebon vine