antiquing

[rcsaddles]

I know this is a basic question but something I am not very familiar with. I am making a Bible Cover for a friend. Will have a cross, a steer wrestler and his name on the front. I have seen others that the "lines" in the wood of the cross are darker really making it look like wood. What do you use for that? I've never used antiques or color stain or resists. I hardly use dye or any coloring for that matter.

Any help, advise or just general chit chat on this will be appreciated.

[TimKleffner]

Howdy RC

I use antique all the time and it's rather simple. I use Fiebings brand antique. I prep everything before starting. [that's the key] I cut 4-5 pieces of sheep skin 3x3, pull all the excess wool off then clip the edges and do it again. I have either a roll of paper towels or a small pile of t-shirt rags ready.

WORK QUICKLY .... I apply the antique, use sheep skin to gently rub it in [ circular motion first left then right] for total coverage. Next start with towels, start gently rubbing the antique off as best that you can. then come back in with fresh sheep skin and rub again taking more off. then finally another rag to buff it all off. All the antique dries relatively quickly.

After about 3-5 minutes, come back in with a fresh sheep skin and apply Tan Kote as a finish. again, apply with sheep skin, remove with rag, then buff out with fresh sheep skin.

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. It's just takes timing. Work quickly on several scrap pieces before you do your first project.

I hope this works for ya ,

Happy tooling

Tim

Edited October 20, 2009 by TimKleffner

[anester05]

I use both the Tandy Hi-Lighter and the Tandy Gel antique. Both work well. I have had the the most luck with the hi-lighter though. What I do is I spread the Hi-Lighter on thick over the entire surface then I take a damp sponge and wipe off the excess. Use tight circles for both applying the dye and wiping with the sponge. This seams to give me the most consistent look. After the stain dries I use a prevail sprayer to spray on the finish. One thing to note is the prevail sprayer shoots out a ton of finish so make several quick passes do not let the finish pool too much(there will be some pooling) because when it dries you will have a uneven look to the finish. I have yet to try using the sponge with the antique gel but will soon I think it will give me similar results. I have attached an example of the Hi-Lighter.

[kevinhopkins]

An easy way that I like, is to finish your leather with neat lac (clear lac) first, and then antique over it. Make sure the leather is well coated with the finish, and that way the antique only stays in the tooled areas, and doesn't change the color of the leather so drastically.

Happy rubbing!

Kevin