I’m planning to dye my own as well
Lazerjock , but my Lowe’s didn’t carry that specific Minwax color - did you have to get a base dyed at the desk or something?
Boochman yes, go to Lowes and get Minwax water based wood stain. They sell clear & white. I chose clear. Try to get the sample size. They were out when I went, so I had to buy a quart. A quart is about $13.
Take it to the desk and tell them you want Minwax color #13 Portsmouth Spice. I had told them #13 spice, quoting others, but they must have changed the name adding Portsmouth since that is all they had. I attached a picture of the can and the label showing the exact color mix.
You may want to pick up something to put the stain in. I used a paint roller pan I had already.
Dilute the stain with water 1:1. Wear rubber gloves and soak the girth belt in the stain working it with your hands to make sure it gets to all of the fibers inside too. I then squeezed out the excess and repeated the process again.
Squeeze it out again and hang it somewhere to dry.
Once dry I used a small brass wire wheel in my Dremel to remove the paint from the buckles. If you don't have a Dremel you can actually scrape it off with your finger nail and / or a small flat head screw driver too. Neither method will scratch the buckle the chrome plating is very strong.
I read that someone used Vaseline on the buckles before staining. I was concerned that the Vaseline would get on the fibers and prevent the stain from taking.
I also read that some people had issues with the belt being stiff after drying. My belt didn't have that problem.
I would ship you my leftover stain, but the shipping would cost more than just getting your own.
Also, I see what your saying about having to trust the screen cause that’s the best you got, BUT it’s not always accurate. Next time I’m at the office I will look for our Pantone color samples and see how it looks next to it! That won’t be for awhile tho (after the house move).
You're right!
You plan to use the same belt and stain I believe. If you have the Pantone sample too, you will be able to compare. I would appreciate that.
No rush at all! I know moving is a pain, but worth it in the end. Congratulations on the house purchase.