Need A Flexible Finish Found Locally, No Tandy Nearby. Any Ideas?

[The Grizzly]

I'm working on a set of wrist bands for a friend and I need a flexible finish for them. They will be dyed with Fiebing's Pro Oil black and then the tooled areas will be painted with acrylic. Can anyone recommend a flexible finish coat that can be found locally? I don't have a Tandy nearby. I do have Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Lowe's and Walmart.

I've read about people using Deft as a finish as well as various spray lacquers like Krylon for projects, but haven't found if these finishes will flex. Granted, once the band is wet formed in a circular shape, it won't have to flex much to put on and take off with the snap.

What ever is suggested will need to be compatible with the Pro Oil dye and any conditioning the leather will need after dyeing to replace natural oils and what not. I don't want to get it finished and have the top coat lift.

Speaking of that, what would be a good conditioner to add to the leather after dyeing, before painting and finishing? My local hobby lobby has that 4 way leather care I think by Fiebings.

Thanks in advance for the help!

[TwinOaks]

For your finish, try out the "homemade resolene" resolene that Katsass posted: 50/50 mix of Mop-n-Glo and water. I'm pretty pleased with it.

[The Grizzly]

Really? 50/50 Mop n Glo w/ water eh? Does this get sprayed, dipped, sponged, daubed, or? Should I do a coat of it after dyeing before painting then a final coat over it all?

[TwinOaks]

I spray on just because I have an airbrush to spray everything else. You can wipe it on too, but if you're gonna have acrylic paints, you might do better with spraying so it doesn't 'wipe off' the paints. Light coat, let dry, second light coat, then neutral shoe polish. Looks like leather when done, not plastic.

Really, ANY of the typical leather finishes is pretty flexible. I've only run into trouble when I put a finish on too thick.

[The Grizzly]

Thanks. Ideally, I would use a proper finish bought from a supplier. But, I need these bands completed kind of quickly and don't have time to wait a week for shipping, so I was trying to find something locally. I'll have to give that M&G a try, thanks for the suggestion!

[budd4766]

I'm a big fan of Tan Kote. If you call most any Tandy store, they'd be happy to ship to you.

[Nightwolf]

Might be a little late but DO NOT USE DEFT if you need a flexible finish. Deft is a wood laquer. I use it on coasters I make to waterproof them, but it also stiffens the leather a lot. Not a big issue on coasters, not so great on a bracelet.