Edge Experiment - FROG Tape

[Bree]

I wanted to try a new product I ran into in one of my woodworking magazines. It is called FROG Tape. It is a fairly tacky masking tape similar to blue tape. But it has a twist that is significant for working leather. The edges of FROG tape are coated with an expanding absorbant. It is designed to seal the edge against water-based paint running under the tape.

Leather is not a smooth surface. It has hills and valleys when looked at very closeup. So a product that can expand to block any wicking of dye under some masking tape interested me very much. If it works it can assure me of razor sharp perfect edges on a belt with little or no risk of the black dye ruining a natural colored blank.

I ordered some FROG Tape and it arrived today. So I took a piece of strap about 1 1/4" or so and ran a piece of 1" FROG Tape up the middle of the blank taking care to create a nice straight line parallel to the edge. I gave it a quick run thru the burnisher. Then I took some water-based Fiebings Edge Kote and with a foam brush just schlepped it on the blank... both edges. I noted that there was a depression in the leather at one point and the FROG Tape could not make a perfect bond with it. If it was going to fail, this would be the place.

I let it dry for a few hours and then peeled the FROG Tape off and took a good look at the results. Judge for yourselves. The FROG Tape did a fabulous job. I am thrilled with its performance. I am giving away a secret even before it has become a secret! Check it out.

Pretty darn good edge line if you ask me... a lot better than I can put on with either a brush or piece of felt.

[tashabear]

That's awesome! Where did you order it from?

Edited January 22, 2009 by tashabear

[Greybeard]

I think Homedepot now carries this too. Thanks for the Tip it will help loads!

Edited January 22, 2009 by Greybeard

[MADMAX22]

Great idea, looks good too. Question, did it leave much or any residue on the leather. Like if you were gonna finish the belt after you do the edges would it cause any issues.

[Shorts]

Cool stuff Bree. Thanks for the experiment.

I was brainstorming yesterday about patterns and such and this helps.

[CitizenKate]

That appears to have excellent masking properties. Thanks for sharing that info, Bree.

Kate

[Windy]

I saw the Frog Tape on one of them DIY

shows and wondered if it worked as good

as they said. Now I know. Thanks Bree.

WINDY

[Bree]

FROG Tape is expensive... like about double the cost of Blue tape. I got mine at Amazon.com. My thought was to take the 1" tape and split it putting one half on the top of the blank and one half on the bottom You must be careful to make sure that the outer edge of the tape is aligned to the belt edge. If you split the tape, the inner edges of the split tape don't have the expanding stuff... only the outer edges. So be careful.

It is a fairly strong tack tape. Best to remove it fairly soon after applying it. I removed mine easily and it left no residue. But go slow or you might tear it as you remove it.

I plan to have only a small area of the FROG Tape in actual contact with the leather. I will fold the inner area back on itself so I can just lift it off. I won't be freestyling the dye like I did on the experiment. All that I need is 1/4 of an inch to catch any mistakes and give me a nice straight line.

Edit: Max... I will airbrush some water-based sealer on the test strap and see if there are any issues. A perfectly straight line is much easier to screw up than one that isn't!! Any flaw is immediately evident.

Edited January 22, 2009 by Bree

[Big Papa Leather]

" I will airbrush some water-based sealer on the test strap and see if there are any issues. A perfectly straight line is much easier to screw up than one that isn't!!"

Bree, I too would be interested in the airbrush blocking abilities of this stuff as well.

Thanks for the tip. And looking forward to you experimentation results.

Allen

[Bree]

" I will airbrush some water-based sealer on the test strap and see if there are any issues. A perfectly straight line is much easier to screw up than one that isn't!!"

Bree, I too would be interested in the airbrush blocking abilities of this stuff as well.

Thanks for the tip. And looking forward to you experimentation results.

Allen

Allen...

I have it hanging down in the shop and the airbrush is hooked up and ready to go. Once I get outta work, I will blow three coats of sealer on it and see what the heck happens. Results later today. CYA! Gotta get back to my non-leather job!!