ShawnM76

Thanks for all your advice everyone. I'm going to check these all out tonight and make a decision. I appreciate all of everyone's input!

Thanks fellas, I'll definitely checkout that link, look into those models and compare them to some other ones I'm looking at. Thanks Cyberthrasher. I'll definitely check that one out as well. I try to use the search engine on the site as often as possible, and I this time as well, but nothing outstanding really came up. It could have been the choice of words I used. I try to always make sure to start there before starting new threads for sure.

Hey folks, I was considering investing in an airbrush to help with finishing projects and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what models might work well for the kind of work we do? I know zero about airbrushes, so I'm not even sure of what to look for in one? I thought maybe being that it will be used for the work we do that maybe there is something different that I should consider in buying one? I would definitely like something that will be easy to use, reliable, and affordable. If any of you have some suggestions I would love to hear from you. Thanks in advance!

Wow Tom, this definitely gives me some hope. Thank you so much for posting this for me. I'm going to give some of these a try for sure. I don't mind if it takes off some off the dye, and that I have to recondition the leather and restain it. I'd much rather do that then to have to do the whole project all over again.

Thanks prc77ro, I think I might try the saddle soap, but I'm gonna keep my ears open for a bit and see if anyone else has any suggestions. I also found this stuff from Fiebings called deglazer https://www.tandyleatherfactory.ca/en-cad/home/department/liquids-n/2105-349.aspx I wonder if it would work?

Also, do you guys know if it's possible to use something to remove the finish (supersheen) off the project and do it again? I've spent 12 hours on this project and would really like to repair it if possible.

I've also been having the same problem and started a thread on this yesterday here; http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=48005 I'm having the same issue with the super sheen, and finding it's really pulling up a lot of the colour and just spreading it around making my project really streaky and muddy. Since I don't have an airbrush I'm going to try the Preval Power Unit sprayer from Tandy's to apply the finish on my existing project until I get some Sheridan RTC that I can try. Good Luck!

Ya, the super sheen was definitely lifting a ton of colour and smearing it around like crazy. I probably am using too much of it. I've never been shown how to use it, and I thought more super sheen = better results. I've been using a sponge that had been soaked with it. I didn't realize that you had to use so little. I did try using a smaller amount with the sponge last night and found I was getting the same results. I'm definitely going to order some RTC and some Feibings products. Also going to make a trip to the Tandy's class this Saturday to have someone properly show me what to do.

Thanks Dwight and Cyberthrasher, those are some great tips. I'm definitely not offended by the comments of cheap leather. I'm buying what I think is good leather, but since I'm new to this I don't always seem to know what to look for. The leather I get at Tandy's always seems to be very dry, no matter what grade of leather I get. I'll definitely give the Fiebings products a try for sure. I definitely think the super sheen is reactivating the gel, and I don't know why. I'm definitely not going to be using it for any future products. In regards to all the leather, all of it was cut by myself from veg tan hides I got at Tandy's, with the exception of maybe the belt, which I can't remember if it was one I cut myself or one of the pre-cut ones I got from Tandy's. As far as the cracking goes, I always wet and shape the leather a bit first where I know it will bend. In this case because it was a sling, it's to be made adjustable with a bend going in it wherever the user wants to adjust it. I think maybe you are right in saying that I put too much finish (supersheen) on it. I do remember putting a fair amount on as I thought that was a good idea to give it more protection, but I guess I was wrong. oops. Thanks again fellas for your tips and comments. Much appreciated.

Hey there folks, I'm having some finishing problems with my leather and could use some tips/advice. I've attached some photos to go along with the descriptions of some of the issues I am having. Hopefully it helps. The first three photos are in regards to my first question. It's actually more of an issue, and that is after using the tandy antique gel I let my project dry for 24 hours, and then I apply super sheen to the project. Once I start applying the super sheen the antique starts to lift and the two mix together resulting in a lot of streaking and a milky color, and then it proceeds to dry milky and streaky. Can you please tell me why this is doing this and what I might be doing wrong? I've spent a lot of time these last few weeks destroying projects I have spent countless hours on. As well, is there any way to fix this after it has happened? My next question is regarding the following two pictures of a belt that I had made a few weeks ago, and that I have been wearing ever since. It's only been a few weeks and the belt is already showing signs of wear. I have store bought leather belts that I have worn for a year straight and not had this kind of wear. Why would it be wearing so prematurely? Does it have something to do with the finishing? Is there anything I can do to ensure this doesn't happen again with future projects? I have friends that want leather belts who specifically said they wanted a quality leather belt that would not do this. I want to ensure I can provide them with that. My next question is in regards to the following picture (the one with all the milky colored markings on it) again, this just happened suddenly, and I don't know why? Is there a reason these milky markings would have developed? And lastly, the last photo of the strap with a crack in it. How can I prevent this from happening in the future when a project has to be bent? This is actually a rifle sling and in order to adjust it, it is going to have to be bent anytime there are adjustments to be made. Again, I would definitely like for this not to be happening with future projects. Just so you have an idea, this is how I've been finishing my leather; - allow leather to dry completely - stain leather and allow to dry 24 hours then buff - apply gum trag on flesh side using finger to rub into leather - apply a coat of super sheen twice, then buff again - burnish edges - apply edge coat Not sure if this is fully the appropriate way or not. I have found that even with the use of the internet and books that I have I cant seem to find the exact right information that I need. A lot of reference I have found shows you quickly what to do, but I think there are a lot of steps being left out. Thanks for hearing me out, I hope you have time to answer these questions for me.

Thank you and thanks for having me! Super stoked to be here and learn. Hello Northmount! Glad to see there are plenty of canucks on here!

Hello fellow Destrier! So far I started with a ton of key fobs, then graduated to belts, then I did a wallet and a rifle sling. All of which I was really proud of. I'm currently working on another belt which is all hand carved, and two custom long biker wallets. I'm super happy with all my current projects and cant wait to see them done. My next project is going to be a 3 ring photo album/portfolio (I'm a tattoo artist and I want this for displaying photos of my work. I'm going to have to wing this one as well, as I have found no resources at all to assist me in it's design. Should be tons of fun though!

Thank you Robert!

Thanks for this Bruce! I had an idea in my head that this was maybe how they were made. I really am excited to make these for a few friends. I appreciate you sharing your tips with me! I'll be sure to post some pics when I am done!

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Haha, hopefully someone can shed some light on this.