wondering if I am buffing off the resolene coating

[bluegrass084]

I have been working at perfecting a few patterns and have on several occasions noted that my dye job would transfer to clothing despite the fact that I finished things off with resolene. I am wondering if I have created my own problem....

First I buff the dye to a nice polished appearance, then I apply the resolene. After drying I buff some more. I have tried various ways to apply resolene and had chosen to apply with a sponge.

I am wondering if I am buffing off the resolene coating because the sponge method did not give enough coverage....also looking for other ideas to create a better finish.

thanks for the help in advance

[Luke Hatley]

I do a lot of black belts,and i use Satin Sheen as a finish and i have no rub off on clothes.

[abn]

Bluegrass,

I'm a Satin Shene user, too, but I think that's a lot like Fiebing's Acrylic Resolene, so your results should be similar.

You're doing the right thing by buffing the dyed surface before applying the finish. Using a sponge is one of the best ways to apply Resolene, so no problem there. Give your project the lightest coat you can, and then wait 10 minutes for this to dry. Don't buff yet -- now, apply a second very light coat and allow another 10 minutes to dry. Now you can buff lightly to bring out the shene. This should reduce any color transfer. Let dry overnight for the most durable surface.

If this doesn't fix your color transfer problem, then try another dye or another top finish. You could switch from a spirit dye that requires buffing to an Eco-Flo dye that doesn't. Or, you could try a wax-based top-finish like Leather Balm w/ Atom Wax. There are lots of options out there -- you just have to find the right one for yourself.

Good luck, -Alex

[Rawhide]

I remember reading somewhere , maybe Peter Main's "Main technique.." book, that you should dampen a soft cloth and rub your work after your dye has dried. When the dye dries, some of the powdery dye separates from the alcohol or water and rises to the surface of the leather. Even with the top coat applied.

So before I apply the top coat, I dampen a rag and rub. Then I take a dry rag and rub. If the dry one shows dye, I rub more with the damp one, if the dry rag doesn't show any dye, then I apply the top coat. This has worked for me so far.

Marlon