Newbie Question: Leather Finish Recommendations?

[indiana cowgirl]

So I finally finished my first actual project. (I'd been messing around, practicing on scraps....). It's a handbag, because I've wanted a Sheridan style bag forever, but was too poor to buy one....

I get my supplies at the Indianapolis Tandy store-- so used Eco-Flow antiquing gel in tan, and Fiebings leather dye in chocolate. I 'finished' it with Fiebings acrylic "Resolene" leather finish. The finish wasn't bad, but definitely not what I expected-- it was hard and stiff, almost like it had been shellacked! I assume (after reading the label again and noticing the word "acrylic") that the hard finish was due to the Resolene. One of my goals is to make some saddle bags, and I don't want them to have a hard/ stiff finish. If I want a more flexible, soft finish, what do you all recommend?

I posted pictures of the bag in the feedback section, and would appreciate comments.

thanks!!

[abn]

Cowgirl, I'm partial to the acrylic-based finishes... My favorite is Tandy's Satin Shene. It's best to apply these in several very light coats using a damp sponge. Allow at least five minutes between each coat. When you're done, buff with a cotton cloth for a soft, satin finish.

Good luck! (And be sure to experiment with new products on scrap! )

[mauifarrier]

Aloha from hawaii,

I am fairly new to leatherwork also, but have a few big projects under my belt. (A few of them are posted to my profile.) Here are the products I've been very happy with:

Bee Natural's line of products...

Saddle oil with fungicides. This goes into the leather after tooling & before dyeing. Up to three coats, let sit overnight. This will soften your leather somewhat.

Sheridan Resist and finish. Use as a resist or finish, it is acrylic and leaves a shine on the surface.

Bee Natural's leather finish. This is a liquid beeswax based leather finish that you apply last. Rub on, let dry, then buff with a cotton cloth. Shines, protects, and smells great.

You may know this already, but I would venture a guess the leather felt stiff in part because it hadn't been oiled. Water stiffens leather (once dry), and oil softens it. Experiment with scrap, but if you are using veg-tanned leather and tooling it, it will be quite stiff unless you oil it a bit. But use caution, the oil darkens the leather. If I make a belt and want it to stay a pale as possible, I use very little oil. Also, too much oil can over-soften the leather, and creates an undesirable effect.

Best of luck!

Gretchen

[indiana cowgirl]

Aloha from hawaii,

I am fairly new to leatherwork also, but have a few big projects under my belt. (A few of them are posted to my profile.) Here are the products I've been very happy with:

Bee Natural's line of products...

Saddle oil with fungicides. This goes into the leather after tooling & before dyeing. Up to three coats, let sit overnight. This will soften your leather somewhat.

Sheridan Resist and finish. Use as a resist or finish, it is acrylic and leaves a shine on the surface.

Bee Natural's leather finish. This is a liquid beeswax based leather finish that you apply last. Rub on, let dry, then buff with a cotton cloth. Shines, protects, and smells great.

You may know this already, but I would venture a guess the leather felt stiff in part because it hadn't been oiled. Water stiffens leather (once dry), and oil softens it. Experiment with scrap, but if you are using veg-tanned leather and tooling it, it will be quite stiff unless you oil it a bit. But use caution, the oil darkens the leather. If I make a belt and want it to stay a pale as possible, I use very little oil. Also, too much oil can over-soften the leather, and creates an undesirable effect.

Best of luck!

Gretchen

Hi Gretchen! Thanks for the guidance! You are right, I did use a fair amount of water (have been reading the posts on casing...) so it makes sense that the leather stiffened! I appreciate the brand names as well.... and it looks like my saddles will be getting a bit of TLC along with the upcoming projects!

warm regards,

joanne