My FFR Roadster comes with some leather door straps and I wanted to dye them darker to fit the look of the interior. I didn’t want to dye the stitches so a regular black dye wouldn’t work – check this out!
Simple concoction to make this (and super cheap!)
• mason jar(s) https://amzn.to/3uDnmiY
• vinegar (I used white vinegar, but apple cider works good too!) https://amzn.to/3a9ADWW
• 0000 steel wool (don’t use a brillo pad because of the soap) https://amzn.to/3uH6tnw
• plastic wrap https://amzn.to/3A5E2kc
• coffee filters https://amzn.to/3lhw6IF
• paintbrush, you can use a foam brush as well https://amzn.to/3D6TM8q
• a few days’ time…
Steps to create this:
- Fill one of your jars with steel wool. I did about 1 steel wool pads in my 16 oz jar but depending on the size of your mason jar you can add more/less. You can also shred them up to create more surface area.
- Fill the jar with vinegar, about 3/4ths full if it’s a smaller jar. Cover it up with plastic wrap and poke a few holes in it. This allows some of the gas to escape during the chemical process.
- Make sure you put your jar somewhere that it’s warm, and away from noses – it can smell during the process. Also, protect the area around the jar in case you bump it or spill any of the mixture.
- Now the patience kicks in – stir it every day to help get the bubbles to rise and mix the rust. Some say by 3 days it should be done. You should be getting a rusty brown color on your surface and more of a rust than a vinegar smell near the end.
- I filtered the mixture 3 times with the coffee strainer, it’s still a cloudy mixture but you just want to remove the chunks!
- Be sure to be in a ventilated area and wear some gloves! Paint away! You’ll notice an ashen, or brown tone, but it will get deep grey and after a few coats pretty darn black!
- Some rinse with a baking soda wash, but I just rinsed the parts well with water. I’ll probably protect it with some mink oil or protectant! Looks darned good if you ask me!
Hope you enjoy!
