Finishig a Belt ??

[ABC3]

Need some opinions regarding finishing a Belt:

I've cut the strap, edge it & punched the "slot" & the "chicago srews" dyed it - then what. Regarding sealing, finishing, burnishig, ect. What are the steps from A to Z.

Thanks for your input....

Edited February 19, 2009 by Hobby Tom

[rdb]

Wax On! Wax Off!

Personally Leather Balm is my favorite. It is simple, and effective

My little unauthoritative belt tutorial:

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=4416

[ABC3]

Rdb'

I've read your tutorial several times & I must say it has helped alot. Thanks for posting it. But to finish my belt you are saying just apply Leather Balm over the entire belt. This is a plain BLACK belt with no tooling. Let it dry & I'm ready to go. No sealing.

[rdb]

Any of the clear finishes will work. They are sealers in themselves. Lately, I have been applying Snow Proof, letting it dry, then applying Leather Balm for final topping.

For black, make sure you use a clean cloth and rub off the residue as much as you can before applying. Perhaps Top Kote, Bag Kote, Neatlac, Super Sheen would be longer lasting than the Leather Balm, for a black belt. The shininess varies with each product. That's up to your choice of final look. Resolene has given problems to people who don't have access to a spray gun. Some would swear by spray vs. wipe applications of finishes and dyes, so that's up to you. Several thin applications with adequate drying between(overnight), are better than one heavy application of any of these. Give the edges a coat also.

I'll leave it to others to discuss the chemistry, i.e. acrylic, spirit based, etc., and of which they prefer.

There have been several finish Topic conversations here, so do a search. Remember everyone has their favorites and biases, so you'll have to be the final arbitor of what you use, based on YOUR research, decisions, and tests.

It really is as easy as Wax on, Wax off.