Hardening Leather

[TarikGarro]

So I have a small Project I want to do, where I plan to harden the leather, however I have a few concerns, the particular piece im working on is rather flimsy so I plan on using Wax hardening to stiffen and make the piece hard. Now my question is this Since im using wax (the technique is to dry bake the leather then use a paint brush and melted wax repeatedly till it stops absorbing the wax) if I do this Should I Dye the leather first and if so will the wax still absorb into the piece? Or is there something else I have to do in order to dye and harden the piece?

Sorry its been a long day my thoughts are all over..

[Chief31794]

I would definitely dye the piece first, the wax will impede the dye, it may not completely block it, but it will make the dye blotching for sure. Dye will not prevent the leather from absorbing the wax but the wax will affect the dye if done first.

Chief

Edited September 26, 2014 by Chief31794

[Dwight]

You don't say what it is you are making, . . . but FWIW, . . . I have had excellent "hardening" success by melting the wax and dipping the object in it, . . . allowing it to remain there, . . . fully submerged, . . . for several seconds, . . . pulling it out and letting it dry.

I did that originally with a test piece of about 12 or 14 oz leather, . . . and wound up with a thin, leather colored "hockey puck", . . . it was HARD.

May God bless,

Dwight

[TarikGarro]

I would definitely dye the piece first, the wax will impede the dye, it may not completely block it, but it will make the dye blotching for sure. Dye will not prevent the leather from absorbing the wax but the wax will affect the dye if done first.

Chief

Thanks For the Input - the specific dye I have is Black with Finisher will this cause issues?

You don't say what it is you are making, . . . but FWIW, . . . I have had excellent "hardening" success by melting the wax and dipping the object in it, . . . allowing it to remain there, . . . fully submerged, . . . for several seconds, . . . pulling it out and letting it dry.

I did that originally with a test piece of about 12 or 14 oz leather, . . . and wound up with a thin, leather colored "hockey puck", . . . it was HARD.

May God bless,

Dwight

LOL - thats great, Im making a Prop piece for a friend, they are asking for a Paddle for a Cosplay costume they are putting together. I dont think itll be used in any impact fashion but none the less Id still like it to be hardened and proper.

[Chief31794]

Thanks For the Input - the specific dye I have is Black with Finisher will this cause issues?

LOL - thats great, Im making a Prop piece for a friend, they are asking for a Paddle for a Cosplay costume they are putting together. I dont think itll be used in any impact fashion but none the less Id still like it to be hardened and proper.

That dye should not cause issues with the wax, I never particularly like the dyes with the finisher built in, if it were me, I'd get Fiebings Pro Oil Black, dip dye it, let it dry, buff it well, then do the waxing you're talking about, dwight has a good tip about dipping the item in the melted wax.

Chief

[Grumpy Coyote]

Dye it, bake it low temp, and make certain the dye/stain is very, very dry before waxing. I've had luck with a heat gun on small pieces - even a hair dryer works. No baking. Also, like Dwight said, you can just dip it. The heat is for the wax, not the leather. As long as the wax is liquid, and the piece is warm it should have the same effect. I keep a tiny crock pot (payed 10 bucks I think), just for my bee's wax.

Often I'll bake a flask for a few minutes after dipping, but just to get the wax to settle into the places I can't reach.

Edited September 26, 2014 by Grumpy Coyote

[Grey Drakkon]

I've made leather masks which were out of very thin leather (3-4 oz) and after soaking and applying heat (in my case a hairdryer) They hold their form pretty well. For example, you can see that the "stem" on my holly mask is free standing and is holding it's shape quite well. I agree with others that you should shape it, heat it, dye it, then wax it.

[TarikGarro]

Thanks for the great feedback I really Appreciate it!!

Now I have one last question, if I choose to use paints at all do you think itll cause an issue with the heat treatments? Cracking etc? I was thinking of using Arylics but Im not sure.

[Grey Drakkon]

Depends on the type of paint and the temperature you're talking about. There's a few acrylics that people use heat on to "set" them into place.

[Tree Reaper]

There's a product that I've used called petrifier and it will harden leather.

On pouches I soak the inside and a light coat on the outside.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/PC-Products-16-oz-PC-Petrifier-Wood-Hardener-164440/100649629

[DavidL]

There's a product that I've used called petrifier and it will harden leather.

On pouches I soak the inside and a light coat on the outside.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/PC-Products-16-oz-PC-Petrifier-Wood-Hardener-164440/100649629

Off the subject. What type of finish do you recommend to seal my stitching pony and unsealed awl handle from dyes.

[Tree Reaper]

You could use a varnish or urethane.

[DavidL]

Thanks.

[Harry Marinakis]

I have found that hardening leather makes it almost impossible to dye the leather.

I used the baking technique to harden leather (soak leather in water, then bake on a form at 180 degrees F until dry)

Edited September 30, 2014 by Harry Marinakis