How to Dye Leather Chaps
Chaps have come a long way from their origins. Originally designed by Spanish settlers in Mexico, "chaperajos" were long pieces of thick leather armor that were draped over the legs during horse riding to protect riders. In modern times, chaps have become a fashion symbol, worn by men and women alike to bring a particular style and rugged appeal to their wardrobes. Now that we are more focused on fashion, we also pay more attention to characteristics such as color. Dyeing chaps to match your outfit, or simply touching up a fading patch of leather, requires practice and patience. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Washing machine
- Detergent
- Stain remover
- Suede brush
- Liquid leather dye
- White sheet
Instructions
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Cleaning
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1
Fill your washing machine with hot water. Pour in the amount of laundry detergent you would use for a normal load. Add the chaps and allow them to agitate for two minutes.
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2
Stop the agitation and apply laundry stain remover, such as Spray 'N Wash or Shout to any tough stains. Rub the stain remover in with a suede brush.
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3
Put the chaps back into the washer and allow the regular cycle to run (generally eight to 10 minutes). Allow them to rinse thoroughly as well, to remove any residual soap.
Dyeing
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4
You can purchase liquid leather dye at a leather retailer or from an Internet provider. Fill your washing machine with hot water, and pour the liquid dye in. Amount of dye needed will vary by desired color and the size of the project; consult product instructions for suggestions.
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5
Dip an old white sheet or towel into the water-dye mixture to check on the color. Add more dye if necessary for darker coloring.
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6
Add the clean chaps to the water. Allow to agitate for only two minutes, and then check on the coloring. If you are simply brightening up fading chaps, a few minutes should be enough. However, if you want to dye them a very dark color, you will want the chaps to agitate for the whole washing cycle, and soak in the dye water for at least 10 minutes.
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7
Remove the dyed chaps from the washer and drain it completely. Add plain hot water and run the chaps through the cycle to rinse away any residual dye.
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1
Tips & Warnings
When chaps have completely dried on the line, you can put them into the dryer on the fluff cycle (with no heat) to keep them soft.
If you are just learning to dye chaps, try starting with a simple touch-up, or dyeing a very light color dark, until you get the hang of the amount of dye needed and the amount of time needed to agitate and soak. These times will vary for each color you want to dye your chaps.
These procedures are designed to work on high-quality leather chaps manufactured by professionals. Lesser types of leather may not withstand washing and dyeing without damage.
Do not dry your chaps in a regular clothes dryer, as they will shrink considerably. Hang outside to dry in a shady area, to prevent sun bleaching.
