Problem burnishing belt edges

[ABC3]

Problem with burnishing the edges of dual bull hide belt. Let me lay it out for you:

I edge the edges of the belt. (nice rounded edges)

Then apply edge ink. (let dry for 15-20 minutes)

Then apply bees wax - just running it back & forth over the edge. (the cake type).

Then put the belt on the Weaver system covered with canvas. Run it through the system very slowly to melt the wax & lay the fibers down. Comes out great. But alittle discolored with the heat, ect. (needs to be shinny)

So I apply a new cover of edge ink, let dry & buff with a T-shirt. (Looks great)

Then apply my sealer (Atom Wax) & let dry. Put it under the light & still looks great with these old eyes.

Take it out in the sun light & damn I can't ship this out unless I want to narrow my market to the old guys (like me) who can't see.

To the point: As I apply the sealer it is (I think) pulling off the ink in spots (not everywhere but just in small areas). Could it be the wax not allowing the ink to adhere to the leather ? Or something else.

Now that the sealer is applied my only option is to re-sand, re-edge & try to figure out the problem & re-do the edges.

Any suggestions other than get into another business?

[Tkleather1]

I am not 100% but I think the bees wax is the problem. I have heard that bees wax will not allow the dye to absorb into the leather.

another thing are you using dye or edge paint?

[TimKleffner]

Howdy Tom

When I'm doing my final finishing, I edge the leather , then take a small dauber with dark brown spirit dye. After that, I take a small dauber in lacquer and apply it to the edge. I take a piece of canvas and keep everything wiped down. After dry, I use my home made burnisher, on the drill press, and run up the speed put a bit of paraffin on the tool, then burnish the edge. If you feel you need more smooth, I sand the edge and again a light coat of dye and lacquer. then again buff the edge.

Happy tooling

Tim

[CitizenKate]

Hi Tom,

Read this how-to by Bobbie Park (Hidepounder). HE IS THE EDGE FINISHING GURU. We're not worthy!

http://leatherworker.net/edging.htm

Kate

[ABC3]

Using "edge paint"

[ABC3]

CitizenKate;

That's just what I needed. I will go to work on Bob's method in the morning. Again, Thanks,,,,,,

[Rayban]

I have noticed lately that if I do my burnishing just after I edge dye, with the dye only about 50% dry, I get better results and faster, than if I let the edges dry, then moisten to burnish.

Nothing new here, I'm sure, but new to me, and I'm very pleased with my "finding".

[Tkleather1]

Using "edge paint"

Well that is part of the problem as well, Edge paint does not "soak" into the leather it just sitls on top. the way I understand edge paint is it should be your last step.

[ABC3]

I tried this today and it seems to work great ( after several different methods in the cabinet). Virgin edge, apply edge ink, let dry about 50%. Then moisten with sponge & burnish. If you have to go back and re-ink there is nothing to hold back the ink to absorb into the leather. You may have to apply a second coat of edge ink then rub down with a t-shirt & seal.

Only one try but so far it seems to work. The $$ I could have saved.....

[TwinOaks]

I had the same problems you've described until I started using Bob's method. Dyeing it first makes all the difference in the world.

[Vikefan]

Problem with burnishing the edges of dual bull hide belt. Let me lay it out for you:

I edge the edges of the belt. (nice rounded edges)

Then apply edge ink. (let dry for 15-20 minutes)

Then apply bees wax - just running it back & forth over the edge. (the cake type).

Then put the belt on the Weaver system covered with canvas. Run it through the system very slowly to melt the wax & lay the fibers down. Comes out great. But alittle discolored with the heat, ect. (needs to be shinny)

So I apply a new cover of edge ink, let dry & buff with a T-shirt. (Looks great)

Then apply my sealer (Atom Wax) & let dry. Put it under the light & still looks great with these old eyes.

Take it out in the sun light & damn I can't ship this out unless I want to narrow my market to the old guys (like me) who can't see.

To the point: As I apply the sealer it is (I think) pulling off the ink in spots (not everywhere but just in small areas). Could it be the wax not allowing the ink to adhere to the leather ? Or something else.

Now that the sealer is applied my only option is to re-sand, re-edge & try to figure out the problem & re-do the edges.

Any suggestions other than get into another business?

When I do my belt edges I dye the edges the same color as the belts (after rounding them), then wax them up and use your drill press deal to burnish the edges. Atom wax works ok, but I think a combination (50/50) of beeswax and household wax works better. I've not done too many belts since, only small projects, but the results are favorable, so far.

[hidepounder]

I tried this today and it seems to work great ( after several different methods in the cabinet). Virgin edge, apply edge ink, let dry about 50%. Then moisten with sponge & burnish. If you have to go back and re-ink there is nothing to hold back the ink to absorb into the leather. You may have to apply a second coat of edge ink then rub down with a t-shirt & seal.

Only one try but so far it seems to work. The $ I could have saved.....

I'm curious.....are you still using "edge paint" in that process? Also, are you applying anything to the edge when you burnish? We would all like to see a photo of the results......you might be on to a new process!

Bobby