Your Finishing Method For Gun Leather

[Rayban]

I know this is one of those, line-12-guys-up-and-ask-them-the-same-questions-and-you'll-get-12-different-answers type questions, but I'm asking for it.

I posted something similar on another thread but I wanted to make sure you holster/sheath makers saw it.

After about 5 years of paying $20 for an 8oz. bottle (plus postage) of a finish I really have liked, I thought I would see what my local retailer had to offer. I brought home a 4oz. bottle of Feibings Resoline, Tan Kote, and Leather Balm. I did this test strip...same dye, then cut the strip and applied finish...kinda cute how I end up with 3 shades of the same dye...but I can live with that.

I applied each finish the same way, straight out of the bottle with a damp sponge....which leads to my question. Is this the correct way to apply each?

I'm favoring the Balm as we speak..... I like how it buffed out when it was dry, but I could live with any of the three. The Tan Kote left the truer color.

Dwayne....are you there?? Come in Dwayne.......this one is directed to you....you mention in a recent post that you use 50/50 Resoline and wondered about that since it seems to be pretty runny straight out of the bottle....but what don't I know?

So I'd like to hear back about which of these three products you all favor, why, and how you apply them if your method is different than I have done.

Thanks, and Happy New Year!

Lft to rt.....Res, Tan Kote, Leather Balm.

[Dwight]

Resolene holster finishing 101: (hang some kind of string in it through a belt loop, . . . around a snap, . . . somewhere that is unobtrusive, . . . so you can hang it to dry)

Thin resolene 50/50 with water. Obtain a cheap, BRISTLE brush about 1 inch wide, . . . not nylon, rayon, uberfiber, . . . bristle.

Start with the holster opening, . . . where the gun goes. You can pour it, . . . brush it, . . . however you do it, . . . get the inside of that puppy wet through and through.

Next, do the back of the holster, . . . slather it on until it gets good and wet, . . . and the brush strokes are causing a minor "foaming" of the product. Keep brushing until the bubbles are gone.

Now lay the holster on your hand, . . . start adding resolene to the front, . . . again using quick brush strokes, . . . create a foam, . . . brush left, right, up, down, diagonal, . . . this will dissipate most streaks. You want a good coating on the front, . . . be careful not to over do it. Once the foam comes up, . . . you have enough, . . . stay with it and brush out the bubbles.

End up by holding the holster by the string, . . . then brushing all the edges real good for a good looking edge.

Bagkote holster finishing 101: (hang some kind of string in it through a belt loop, . . . around a snap, . . . somewhere that is unobtrusive, . . . so you can hang it to dry)

I've not done a lot of this, . . . but am pretty well impressed with the results so far.

Thin the bagkote 50/50 with water, . . . put in a small air brush, . . . mist a light coat into the gun cavity, . . . then the back, . . . then the front.

Hang up to dry. Repeat as desired.

I prefer Resolene, . . . am learning to use Bagkote, . . . do not use Atom Wax or super sheen.

Hope this helps.

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited January 1, 2011 by Dwight

[Rayban]

Thanks Dwight...I meant Dwight not Dwayne, it was early......I'm gonna give r a try.

[Dwight]

Resolene holster finishing 101: (hang some kind of string in it through a belt loop, . . . around a snap, . . . somewhere that is unobtrusive, . . . so you can hang it to dry)

Thin resolene 50/50 with water. Obtain a cheap, BRISTLE brush about 1 inch wide, . . . not nylon, rayon, uberfiber, . . . bristle.

Start with the holster opening, . . . where the gun goes. You can pour it, . . . brush it, . . . however you do it, . . . get the inside of that puppy wet through and through.

Next, do the back of the holster, . . . slather it on until it gets good and wet, . . . and the brush strokes are causing a minor "foaming" of the product. Keep brushing until the bubbles are gone.

Now lay the holster on your hand, . . . start adding resolene to the front, . . . again using quick brush strokes, . . . create a foam, . . . brush left, right, up, down, diagonal, . . . this will dissipate most streaks. You want a good coating on the front, . . . be careful not to over do it. Once the foam comes up, . . . you have enough, . . . stay with it and brush out the bubbles.

End up by holding the holster by the string, . . . then brushing all the edges real good for a good looking edge.

Bagkote holster finishing 101: (hang some kind of string in it through a belt loop, . . . around a snap, . . . somewhere that is unobtrusive, . . . so you can hang it to dry)

I've not done a lot of this, . . . but am pretty well impressed with the results so far.

Thin the bagkote 50/50 with water, . . . put in a small air brush, . . . mist a light coat into the gun cavity, . . . then the back, . . . then the front.

Hang up to dry. Repeat as desired. EDITED: Sorry about the above line: bagkote should not be thinned beyond 80/20, . . . my mistake, . . . too much hurry.

I prefer Resolene, . . . am learning to use Bagkote, . . . do not use Atom Wax or super sheen.

Hope this helps.

May God bless,

Dwight

[TwinOaks]

....Or.....you could get a few bottles of Mop-n-glo, add water (1:4 water:mng) and dip it, then hang to dry.

I really like the acrylics on the inside of the holster because the help keep moisture IN the leather, not on the gun, but I prefer other finishes for the outside of the holster. YMMV.

[katsass]

FWIW: As I have mentioned previously, I make almost all of my holsters out of two layers of leather. This (in my mind) gives me a much more firm holster after molding, and also provides a smooth (lined) interior to the final product. Because of this I worry less about moisture wicking on or from the (generally) exposed flesh side of the leather. I just shoot a 50/50 mix of Mop-and-Glo and water, or Fiebing's Leather Sheen inside and out. I warm the leather first in front of a little electric heater (or in the summer I just let old Ma Nature's bright smile to warm it.....but I live in the desert) then shoot it. Allow the stuff to dry thoughly for about and hour (even though it feels dry almost instantly) then give it one more shot. At times I will follow that with a coat of neutral shoe wax, rubbed in well by hand to the exterior (no rag or applicator) then buffed well. Mike

[JeffGC]

I finish everything with Bag Kote on the outside and then Leather Sheen on the inside. The Bag Kote is thinned 20% with water (following Fiebing's recommendations) and sprayed on with a Paasche AUTF. The AUTF is larger than a traditional air brush but smaller than a trim brush. I apply three light coats, allowing the piece to dry between coats. After the outside is dry, I apply the Leather Sheen to the inside of the holster with a dauber. Please don't ask why I use a different product on the inside! I read about using Leather Sheen in some post and found it to work well.

I've struggled on how to hold holsters while spraying them. I think, though, I come up with a very workable solution. I have a selection of dowels (5/8" and 3/4") fitted with rubber cups (chair leg or cane ends). When placed inside the holster, all exterior surfaces and edges can be easily sprayed.

Regards,

Jeff