That Super Shiny Finish?

[skyblast]

So for the past two years I've been making leather gun holsters as a side business. My holsters are pretty good but I can't seem to figure out how to get that super glossy shinny finish?

Is it something that is sprayed on or is it something that the holster is dipped in or maybe even something that is brushed on?

Right now I'm using Angel's Satin Acrylic Finsher...it works pretty well but it's nothing compared to some of the bigger brand name holster companies.

Any info on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks! Tim

Edited May 10, 2010 by skyblast

[iwannabeacowboy]

Well you say your using satin finish, For a nice gloss I use Saddle Lac/Neat lac. Fiebing's Leather Sheen Acrylic Spray. Theirs other stuff with waxes and elbow grease to get a nice shine.

charlie

[MADMAX22]

saddle lac, neat lac if you can find it. Resolene gives a nice shine if I remember right and alot of the holster guys use that.

Atom wax will give a medium mellow shine once buffed out as will bag kote and tan kote.

A good neutral show polish gives a nice shine once buffed out you just gotta do it once in a while.

[Dwight]

Resolene: mix 1 to 1 with tap water. Apply with a bristle (NOT NYLON) brush, . . . apply liberally, . . . brush up a froth, . . . quit applying when the froth appears good, . . . brush out the bubbles, . . . hang up to dry, . . . buff when dry (can take up to 24 hours, depending on temp and humidity).

Take a look at some of the stuff on my website, . . . it is on most of the inventory there.

May God bless,

Dwight

[skyblast]

Resolene: mix 1 to 1 with tap water. Apply with a bristle (NOT NYLON) brush, . . . apply liberally, . . . brush up a froth, . . . quit applying when the froth appears good, . . . brush out the bubbles, . . . hang up to dry, . . . buff when dry (can take up to 24 hours, depending on temp and humidity).

Take a look at some of the stuff on my website, . . . it is on most of the inventory there.

May God bless,

Dwight

Thanks guys so much. Wow, I still have a lot to learn. Now. Off I go to find some of the things you all mentioned. Thanks again.

Tim

[Art]

Neat-Lac is not manufactured anymore, however Clear-Lac is the same formulation and can be purchased from Sheridan Leather Outfitters and Springfield Leather. I've tried it and it works, get a can of the thinner for it when you purchase, especially of you spray or airbrush.

Art

[JLSleather]

I used Neat-Lac a bit about 20 years ago, but found that it wasn't flexible. Tends to crack and "spiderweb" when flexed - even when thinned. I DO use the Saddle-Lac, though, not quite as high-sheen as the Neat-Lac, as it seems to flex well.

[skyblast]

I used Neat-Lac a bit about 20 years ago, but found that it wasn't flexible. Tends to crack and "spiderweb" when flexed - even when thinned. I DO use the Saddle-Lac, though, not quite as high-sheen as the Neat-Lac, as it seems to flex well.

Has anyone else been experiencing this with neat/clear lac...spiderwebbing/cracking? I would guess that there have been significant improvements over the years with this product?

Also is neat lac or resolene the final final layer in the process? Sometimes my customers complain of dye comming off on theri clothes. Will a final coat of lac prevent this? Will lac seal the dye in?

Edited May 10, 2010 by skyblast

[MADMAX22]

Has anyone else been experiencing this with neat/clear lac...spiderwebbing/cracking? I would guess that there have been significant improvements over the years with this product?

Also is neat lac or resolene the final final layer in the process? Sometimes my customers complain of dye comming off on theri clothes. Will a final coat of lac prevent this? Will lac seal the dye in?

In my limited experience I have found the trick for neat lac is nice thin coats. If its something that is flexed around alot I will rub the neat lac into the leather in two thin coats. I do the first and let it dry then buff it a little then come back with a second thin coat. I usually use a white tshirt. If the item is persay a holster or hard knife sheath or something with alot of tooling that requires the neat lac to get into depressions in the leather I will use some sheep scraps but still try to keep it somewhat thin.

I dont have much experience with resolene so I cant help ya there but both of these sealers are usually the last thing to go on and is all that is required to seal up the leather. On the neat lac items I will usually throw a thin coat of nuetral shoe polish on once it is fully dry and buff that out to a nice shine.

[skyblast]

In my limited experience I have found the trick for neat lac is nice thin coats. If its something that is flexed around alot I will rub the neat lac into the leather in two thin coats. I do the first and let it dry then buff it a little then come back with a second thin coat. I usually use a white tshirt. If the item is persay a holster or hard knife sheath or something with alot of tooling that requires the neat lac to get into depressions in the leather I will use some sheep scraps but still try to keep it somewhat thin.

I dont have much experience with resolene so I cant help ya there but both of these sealers are usually the last thing to go on and is all that is required to seal up the leather. On the neat lac items I will usually throw a thin coat of nuetral shoe polish on once it is fully dry and buff that out to a nice shine.

Great!! Thanks for the good advice. Darn. I wish I would have learned this two years ago. Oh well better now than never right?