Waterproofing Arm Guards/ Bracers?

[Bigfoot]

Firstly sorry if this has been asked many times before but i did a search and people seem to want to know specifically what item it is for.

Anyhoo, my question is what would you recommend to protect my bracers from the elements, they are sometimes heavily carved and i'd hate to think that they could be quickly ruined.

I read somewhere on here about dipping in oil but again, there always seems to be split opinion.

At the mo i use mink oil but i think they may need more??

If it makes a difference i use eco flo dyes.

Thanks in advance for any advice/opinions.

[terrahyd]

HY big foot;;

FOUND SOME POSTS FOR YOU ;;;GO TO SUB BAR ON THIS PAGE ;;DYES ,WAX FINISHES ECT' ONCE THERE ,,LOOK FOR OILS AND FINISHES ;;A GOOD POST AMONG MANY (3PAGES) LOL..dOC..

[druid]

Firstly sorry if this has been asked many times before but i did a search and people seem to want to know specifically what item it is for.

Anyhoo, my question is what would you recommend to protect my bracers from the elements, they are sometimes heavily carved and i'd hate to think that they could be quickly ruined.

I read somewhere on here about dipping in oil but again, there always seems to be split opinion.

At the mo i use mink oil but i think they may need more??

If it makes a difference i use eco flo dyes.

Thanks in advance for any advice/opinions.

The Bracers and Greaves I made myself were for paintball. I used ModPodge to seal them from paint stains and it has worked VERY well. Apply with a wide paintbrush or foam paint/glue slab.

You can see the "sheen" of the ModPodge...it's like a 'matte' finish but it works really well...

Edited March 1, 2010 by druid

[TomSwede]

I have made bracers for about ten years and mostly used acrylic sealers on top for protection and finish. Soo far I have had no complaints about anything and I know my bracers are in great use by a lot of people. As far as eco-flo dyes I have no suggestion but the eco-flo stains are waterbased so may just be that they are more fragile to weather and wind (water)??

I use Fiebings spirit dyes for most basic colouring and sometimes antiquing stains. I have a couple of bracers that I have taken on a swim on happy occasions and have no problem with the colour. I'd hesitate to take an eco-flo treated bracer for a swim but prolly test it this summer.

Tom

[Bigfoot]

Thanks guys, guess i should just do some testing then on scrap and see what works best for my dye.

[RuehlLeatherWorks]

I use a mixture of beeswax and neatsfoot oil. I keep it at about a 50/50 mix so that it's a fine paste, then I just rub it into the surface of the leather. If you want deeper penetration, just heat it up a bit. (Warning, it does smell quite bad and the beeswax can burn from being heated too quickly)

[Bigfoot]

I use a mixture of beeswax and neatsfoot oil. I keep it at about a 50/50 mix so that it's a fine paste, then I just rub it into the surface of the leather. If you want deeper penetration, just heat it up a bit. (Warning, it does smell quite bad and the beeswax can burn from being heated too quickly)

If i use a paste or wax will it not just get stuck in the carvings when buffed...look orrible and then catch dust n dirt??

[iwannabeacowboy]

Try using a hair dryer after you rub it in. I know when I use Sno-Seal(works great) they recommend heating the leather before and after it's applied. Really helps it soak in.

charlie