application of "edge dye/ink"

[ABC3]

What has everyone found to be the easiest/best way to put on "edge dye/ink" on the edge of a double layered belt?

I have tried felt, Weavers roller, dauber & tapered sponge. But it seems I cannot keep it off my my undyed belt liner.

I really don't want to dye my liners because I have heard stories of the dye coming off onto clothing during the hot summers even with a sealer applied.

Does anyone have the magic solution?

[Jordan]

Clothespin and a thick piece of felt or dense sponge, or more often than not, a small paintbrush, tedious but effective.

[Luke Hatley]

Hobby Tom.................CAREFUL........VERY VERY CAEEFUL.

[rdb]

I've tried them all, and after all this time, I just use a dauber. Maybe I've just become proficient at it, or just lucky, who knows. A few seconds of running the dauber down the edge, and voyla!

One "trick" I use, though, is to finish and seal both sides one coat before edge dyeing. If there is a little gets on the top or bottom, I can most usually just wipe it of the sealed coating. Then I apply the final seal coat over the leather and the edges.

[ABC3]

rdb,

Then when do you burnish? Those that dye the liner & the belt has it alot easier.

[rdb]

I do a primary burnish before I do anything to the belt. It makes the flow of the dye easier along a smooth edge. No fighting ragged edges, or pits. If I'm sewing the edge, it gives a smoother ride along the guide,also.

After the edge dye is dry, then I give the final burnish, with wax, and sealer. Generally, you don't have to edge dye the back liner. It's thin enough that when you burnish the top and bottom layers together, they meld together to the point you do not need to dye the liner edge, in most cases. If you are using a thicker liner, then yes, you have to edge dye it, but, my method works fine for me.

I'm old, but I still don't shake, so, I got that going for me...lol.

[pete]

You might try using a Sharpie. It is pretty permanent- I have never had one bleed, and it's easy to run the side of it down the edge without touching the liner.

Plus- it comes in a lot of colors so you can edge to match the design.

pete

[rdb]

That reminds me Pete!!

I picked up some Sharpies at a craft store, (maybe JoAnn's, I forget). They were OIL BASED! I used them this morning to fill in some lettering. PERFECT!!!! Went on, dried fast.

[ABC3]

Thanks everyone - I'll try afew of your methods.

[hidepounder]

I use Partner Pens. I didn't know what they were called until someone posted a link to them...I think it was Keith Seidel. It's a plastic tube with a piece of shaped felt inserted. They work great! Bruce Johnson has been using the wide Sharpie pens successfully for a long time.

http://www.americanretailsupply.com/8092/1...t-and-Cans.html

I usually edge and burnish after I have applied my finishes to the top and liner. The raw edge created by edging becomes a neat line to dy to after I burnish and like rdb said, a little overlap is easily removable. I started doing this to keep the lining clean. If I vary from this method, I still seal the lining early to help protect it.

Bob