Finish Options, Esp. For Coasters

[bex DK]

I've tried searching, but not much luck finding answers I can use. Some mention of tan kote and lacquer, but I am still in doubt.

Most of my work so far I've finished with a product that is probably similar to Fiebling's Aussie. It is the old standard here in Denmark for maintaining saddles and other tack. Basically a leather balsam or cream with beeswax.

I've been messing around more with color (a mix of spirit dyes and thinned acrylic). I've got some of the Eco-Flo Super Shene and I've used that some for adding more shine to some projects with good results.

But right now I am planning to make some coasters, initially some as gifts but with also an eye on making some in the future for sale. Although I am very happy with the beeswax cream on most things and even on our saddles when riding the horses into the sea. But I am afraid that having a wet glass standing on it for a few hours is more than the beeswax can handle. It also requires follow-up treatments, which is fine for people who have saddles and tack that they're used to maintaining, but not so good for people without that. And as gifts and potential sales item, they need to be easy to maintain for people not used to treating their leather every few months.

I've only done a little with the Shene but I don't really feel like it will stand up much better than the beeswax,a lthough the two in combination is probably better than either alone.

So this leaves me as a loss as to what to get. The local place is closed, so anything I try will have to be ordered. All I can find in Denmark is Super and Satin Shene and what I think is an equivalent product. This leaves Tandy in England and I can't really afford to buy a bunch of products to experiment. I am hoping I can get some good advice here.

As far as I can tell from the catalog, Super or Satin Shene should be water repellant. And there is another Eco-Flo product, Block Out Resist Finish, which sounds a little stronger from the description. Then there are the Fiebing's Tan Kote and Resolene. I am guessing the Resolene might be a little stronger.

It is also a question of how mcuh it is a good idea to mix products, but everything I have is quite a mix already. We have a small amount of Cova colors (quite old.. they don't even say eco-flo on them). Then in Antique both some Eco-Flo and some Fiebing's (which oddly enough doesn't seem to be in the current Tandy catalog at all. But this was from the local shop before it closed). My spirit dyes are the ROC "Narvsværte" products, but I doubt most of you know what those are. The thinner is ethanol.

So any suggestions or experiences for any of these products? I haven't compared prices, but so far I am leaning a bit towards the Resolene, but without any good reason really. I am assuming multiple layers will be needed.

Would the leather benefit from leather cream with beeswax in addition to the finish? I know that the spirit dyes dry the leather quite a bit. So should something be done to improve that before or after applying a finish? Can oil be used before applying these types of finishes? I worry that using oil would make it harder for the finish to bond with the leather and seal properly.

I've heard metnion of other products, like Sno-Seal, but I have no idea where I would get such a thing. I would be afraid to try to get such a thing from the US, because components might not be allowed here. Additionally the tariffs on import can be quite expensive, as is shipping.

Thanks for any advice you can give me. This forum has really helped me a lot in developing my skills.

[particle]

I oiled my coasters and let them sit at least 12 hours to soak and distribute through the leather. I had no problem with the finish adhering to the coasters. For the finish, I used two coats of Satin Sheen, followed by an airbrush coat of Resolene. I haven't sold any coasters, but I have handed them out as gifts and they've held up very well.

[Penden]

I dye mine with spirit-based dye and/or paint them with acrylic, then cover in a coat or three of resolene.

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

http://www.atsko.com...ng-leather.html

Dänemark/Danmark

FRITIDSGROSSISTEN A/S

Lejrvej 23A

DK-3500 Vaerloese

Tel. 0045-33 33 90 94

Email: info@frigruppen.dk

here is a link for the makers of Sno-Seal, and a Denmark distributor.

I have used this on all of my hiking boots and it works fantastic. It is beeswax, and you soak it into the leather till it won't take anymore for maximum protection. I use a hairdryer to heat the boots up. It does darken the leather, so that may be a consideration. I would use this myself for this application.

Hope this helps.

Edited August 21, 2010 by BIGGUNDOCTOR