i hang my stuff up to dry, i sand and burnish until i like the edge, just like anything painted its the prep work before that is the key to a good finish paint doesn't fill cracks gaps or holes on leather either lol. Then i use the wooden end of a paintbrush to coat the edges, just dip it in the paint, i figure the makers have made it the right consistency , wipe the drip and slide it down the edge. But I'm sure as heck not as ocd about it as some I've seen.