Help Needed:About wiping the glue and edge paint

[kellyswanson]

I don’t have the most dexterous hands, and as a result, I often end up getting edge paint or glue on the leather while making leather goods. In an effort to avoid wasting the leather, I’ve tried using rubber sheets to wipe it off, but the results haven't been great, and sometimes it even ends up damaging the leather. I'm genuinely reaching out for help—does anyone have any tips or methods for saving leather that has been contaminated this way? Thank you so much!

[Dwight]

First thing I would say is toss the glue . . . go to Weldwood contact cement.  Much easier and quicker . . . and . . . more accurate to use as far as getting the result you wanted.

A note worth thinking about . . . dye will not penetrate glue successfully.  Sometimes a bit . . . most times not at all . . . so learn to be careful where you put it.  I use cheap little acid brushes . . . get a 100 for 3 bucks or so . . . use one a day . . . get fresh one tomorrow.

Edge paint . . . I don't bother with it.  My customers in 20 years have never mentioned it one time . . . so for me . . . it's not worth the hassle . . . 

But on the very very seldom time I do it . . . little round wool dauber on a metal handle . . . dip in the dye . . . shake off most of it . . . and very light short strokes . . .  and if you hold your mouth right . . . if the moon is in the right position . . . and if the Ohio river isn't flooding . . . it might work.

May God bless,

Dwight

[chuck123wapati]

Apply edge paint with the back end of a paintbrush or a small wooden rod of some type. Dip it, wipe off the drip, and hold the rod at a 90-degree angle to the edge. Then, lightly run it down the edge. Contact cement can be removed pretty well with an eraser.

[BlackDragon]

Not sure what glue you're using but this applies the rubber/contact cement like Barge or Weldwood.

I use rubber cement erasers, they pull the glue right up like it's never been there. The trick is to let the glue get tacky before using the eraser, if it's to wet it'll just smear. Also you just need a light touch so you don't mark your leather. 

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rubber+cement+eraser

[PastorBob]

I tried using edge paint. Even bought one of the manual rotary tools to apply it.  I may have done 3 project with it, and like @Dwight, never got feedback from a customer that said they missed it when I didn't use it.  I still have a couple bottles sitting on the back of the shelf, but typically just dye the edge, then slick it.

[bruce johnson]

All glues are not the same and all edge paints aren't either. As said, most contact cements on the surface can be removed with a crepe block or eraser. Realize that the solvent in them makes them penetrate the leather a bit and that won't wipe off. It will block stains and dyes depending on how deep it goes. If you have to rub much to remove cements then the surface of leather will abrade.  From there on will not take dyes and finishes the same as the leather around it.

Edge paints - not all the same - I used the Fiebings a fair amount on smaller stuff. It was OK, kind of the standard then. Most of my larger projects had a dyed and burnished edge. My wife is now making a lot of smaller projects from chrome tan leathers. You would be hard pressed to make her switch from the Giardini edge coat system. Jerry Van Amburg spent about an hour with her at Pendleton last fall showing her the steps and tips/tricks for Giardini. Those edges are nice! She orders it from Buckleguy and they have a YouTube on it.

[ThisIsMyFirstRodeo]

Mask off the edges with tape, making sure that the edge being painted/glued is pressed down tightly. If you get an overbrush, give it a quick wipe with a damp rag. Take the tape off quickly before it dries to keep the edge line sharp. If it dries, it may pull some of the paint away. 

It might as well still be my first rodeo, but it’s what has worked for me so far…

AZR

[dikman]

I've never used edge paint, just dye if necessary and burnish. I figure that paint, by it's nature, might eventually peel off.

[Digit]

I use a metal satay skewer for applying edge paint and some people from my class use bits of TIG welding rod. Both are around 1-2mm in diameter. It's slow work, but by applying paint this way (drip-by-drip basically) gives you a fine control over the amount of paint you apply and prevents excess from going over the edge and smearing the grain side.

Glue I have never yet applied in such a way that it could get on the wrong side of the leather I'm working with. I think it's mostly a matter of keeping your work patch and your hands clean when dealing with glue. For contact cement I use a plastic spatula to apply small amounts (CA is for setting pieces before stitching imo, so you only need small amounts) and for PVA I usually use a large spatula (an old credit card) or a brush to apply it.

[pengkegu]

I don't know what tool you use to apply edge paint. I'm used to using an awl. My method is: after covering it with paint, I hold the awl at a 45-degree angle downward and scrape the edge paint onto the leather.