Lady Eagle

I, too, thank you very much for your detailed replies Cyberthrasher! Especially regarding the Resolene because that is a finish I am eager to try. I'm not happy with the Super Shene except as a resist. My Fiebing's order can't get here soon enough!

Thank you so much, Cyberthrasher, for your help and detailed reply! You went above and beyond, and I appreciate it! I used Montana Pitch Blend as a finish on its own on a piece of pre-dyed scrap leather. Of all the finishes I've tried, this is my favorite! No plastic feel or shine, just a soft glow and the wonderful feel and flexibility of natural leather. Scratch tests seem to magically fade with a little rubbing, whereas the scratches on other scrap pieces leave unsightly marks in the clear-coat finish. I'd love to use MPB just on its own, but virtually none of my projects will be "light use" so I'll have to seal them first. I didn't realize that there were both lacquer and acrylic finishes. I see Super Shene describes itself as being acrylic, and I think Mop & Glo and the other floor polish I have are probably an acrylic wax. Which ones are lacquer? And what is the difference between them?

I bought some Montana Pitch Blend leather dressing to add to my arsenol of finishes that I'm experimenting with. I've read lots of information regarding this product and other beeswax finishes, but I'm still confused on a few points: 1. Can this be used alone as a finish? Or is it best used after an acrylic type sealer has been applied? (I've read a couple of posts where someone said that the wax finishes can be used alone, but only on "light use" items, so on to my next question...) 2. If used alone for "light use" items, what items are considered light use? So far I've been making wallets, chequebooks, belts, and keychains. I plan to make purses, book covers, and gun holsters in the future. Most of my items are tooled. 3. What types of stains, antiques, and dyes are better off sealed before using MPB or a wax finish to prevent the color from being lifted up? (I'm using water-based products for now, and will start experimenting with oil-based soon) 4. What sealants work the best with MPB, allowing the wax to penetrate the finish? I'll definately be experimenting with scrap leather pieces. But if someone with experience using MPB and waxy finishes chimes in with their expertise, it would certainly save me time and be most appreciated!

Ah, a couple more Canadians! Hello, and thanks for the welcome! Tom, I'm from Redcliff. And thanks for the advice! I haven't had time to work on the chequebook, so hopefully by the time I do the excess oil has absorbed. I'm definitely having trouble controlling the application of the oil, I may try a paste on the back of my projects so I don't have little spills or over-apply in spots.

Thanks so much for replying! I'm glad I bought the right stuff, now I can give it a try.

I'm experimenting with different finishes, and keep reading about the use of 50/50 Mop & Glo and water. I bought the only one I can find in stores here, I hope it's the right one: it's a blue bottle that says Triple Action, and under it "floor shine cleaner, for regular & no wax floors". Is this the right stuff? Or was I supposed to get something that is just an acrylic polish and isn't meant to have a cleaning function as well?

Hello! I fell into leatherworking a couple of months ago, and haven't looked back. Wanting both a new pair of moccasins and a new hobby, I was thrilled to be able to combine those two desires with a kit from Michael's to make my own slippers. After testing the waters with that little project, I dove in by ordering a large kit from Tandy containing everything I needed to get started. So far I've made: - 2 coasters (which turned out very stiff because I didn't know about oiling after tooling. I've managed to condition them so they won't keep cracking) - 4 key fobs (the first 2 turned out so badly because of poorly applied stains and finishes that I was too ashamed to keep them, the next 2 were worthy of keeping) - 1 bi-fold wallet with a western flower tooled design (despite my critical eye seeing every flaw, I'm quite pleased with this, my first effort) Yesterday I finished tooling a chequebook cover and today I oiled it. Yikes! Looks like I over-oiled it. I oiled the back side because I wanted to leave the front mostly natural with just some background dyeing. But large splotches of oil seeped through to the front! I hope that disappears come tomorrow. If not, looks like I won't be leaving it natural after all, but instead will highlight stain or antique it to hide the dark spots. There is so much I have yet to learn! But, in spite of the mistakes and problems I keep encountering, I am thoroughly addicted to my new hobby! And there's nothing quite like hammering designs into leather to ease the stress of an over-full work/university/life schedule. Now I'm off to the forums to seek some answers. I look forward to meeting all of you!