Hello leatherworkers!
This is my first post, thank you in advance for everything!
I make a folding "camping" stool. I was originally buying oil tanned cow hides (5/6-7/8) and then strap cutting any which way to get as many straps as possible. I soon realized that some straps would be more stretchy than others, and some would be really way too stretchy. This I learned was a result of cutting the hide the wrong way at times, but also from using different parts of the hide that are maybe not suited for straps or belting. newbie realization!
So.... This is where I am now. I am using a 7-8 oz italian shoulder in cognac purchased from Napa Hide House. I believe this is basically a veg-tan shoulder with a a thin burgundy wax finish. The leather is very stiff and lacks the character of the oil tanned leather I was using previously. So in an effort to add some character and some suppleness I asked the people at my local Tandy store in Hayward, Ca what might be the way to go. I thought some lexol or some nice conditioner would do it but they said this wouldn't really do much and recommended soaking in pure neatsfoot oil. So I did! I purchases a gallon of neatsfoot oil, prepared an oil bath and soaked my straps. After the first batch I did learn that for even penetration I would need to orbital sand the back of the leather with 60 grit to remove whatever was keeping the oil from penetrating. Ok! the leather looks good, nice and rich and dark, some nice character, supple.....but not ready to go. The leather is now quite oilly. After drying in the sun, even baking in the oven at 150 degrees, doing whatever I could think of to dry or remove excess oil, the leather is still "bleeding". It is my understanding that it is not good to be selling furniture with oily leather that will be touching clothing. Here is the Question!
After soaking the shoulder in neatsfoot oil, how can I remove excess oil as well as seal the leather so that the oil does no stain clothing? Also, please let me know if you have any ideas concerning any part my process as I am a complete leather newbie just trying to figure things out
Thank You!
