Satin Sheen Alternatives?

[particle]

I've been using two coats of Tandy's Satin Sheen, followed by an airbrushed coat of Resolene on my holsters. I've been pretty happy with this combination, but I'd like to find a more cost effective, but equal or better product to Satin Sheen. I was about to place an order last night from Tandy for a quart of dye and a quart of Satin Sheen, and my order was around $75 after tax and shipping!!

I don't want anything super glossy....

I'd like to maybe order from Springfield. Any suggestions?

[katsass]

I've been using two coats of Tandy's Satin Sheen, followed by an airbrushed coat of Resolene on my holsters. I've been pretty happy with this combination, but I'd like to find a more cost effective, but equal or better product to Satin Sheen. I was about to place an order last night from Tandy for a quart of dye and a quart of Satin Sheen, and my order was around $75 after tax and shipping!!

I don't want anything super glossy....

I'd like to maybe order from Springfield. Any suggestions?

FWIW from a grumpy old man.....Believe it or don't......... I found out many years ago (when I ran out of NeatSheen one time) that 'Mop and Glo' (yep, the stuff for the floor) when cut 50/50 with clear water, will do just as well as the old Neat Sheen or Fiebing's Leather Sheen. It's a bunch cheaper and readily available. I lay on just a fine mist with my airbrush...allow to dry (it does quickly) and follow with a second misting. The stuff is an acrylic....just like all of the 'Sheen' products. Mike

[dickf]

Particle,

Why stain sheen and resolene? I use resolene cut with 50/50 warm water through the airbrush, force-dried with an el cheapo hairdryer. Works every time and is a dull gloss, I guess.

But I think I might still have to try that Mop and Glo idea, Mike!

[billymac814]

I just ordered 2 quarts of dye and a cement container from Springfield and it was only 65.00 with shipping. That was regular spirit dye though.

I could be wrong but I would think you'd be fine with just resolene. That is what I've been using, sometimes I'll follow it up with leatherbalm with atom wax, but realistically I don't know if that adds much, I just like the way it looks, the black is nice too. I've experimented with a few different finish procedures with very little difference in the final look, I shoot for something with a mellow gloss, not to shiney or plastic looking.

I've heard of the mop and glo from a few people, I might try that sometime, it sure would be a lot cheaper.

Let us know what you end up with, I always like seeing other peoples finish steps, it's amazing how many different ways there are.

[Lobo]

I've been using two coats of Tandy's Satin Sheen, followed by an airbrushed coat of Resolene on my holsters. I've been pretty happy with this combination, but I'd like to find a more cost effective, but equal or better product to Satin Sheen. I was about to place an order last night from Tandy for a quart of dye and a quart of Satin Sheen, and my order was around $75 after tax and shipping!!

I don't want anything super glossy....

I'd like to maybe order from Springfield. Any suggestions?

Eric:

You should definitely be doing business with Springfield Leather Company. Excellent customer service and good prices. Call Kevin, let him know that you are opening a business account. He and his people will go out of their way to take care of you.

Best regards.

[particle]

I appreciate the responses everyone. I've ordered a hide from Springfield before, and some dyes and stuff, but had gotten accustomed to the Satin Sheen results. This time I need to order a quart of dye too, so I figured I'd reduce the shipping cost a bit and just order both from Tandy. NOT!

Dickf - you asked why the two coats of Satin Sheen and a coat of Resolene - the thing I really like about Satin Sheen is that it absorbs into the leather so much, which I feel helps to stiffen the holster more. It's MY belief that this will also help to set the dyes a bit more too, helping to prevent/minimize dye transfer (I haven't gotten any complaints at all about dye transfer from any of my holsters, so I'm reluctant to change up my workflow too much). Lastly, I feel like it will help to glue/hold the thread in should the stitching ever begin to fail. Is any of this true? Yes, No, and Probably Not, but Maybe So! I started putting the Resolene on lightly with an airbrush as a final step just to give an added layer of protection against moisture. Personally, I don't like Resolene because I can't stand the tacky feel (even when lightly airbrushed). But, lots of people seem to use it so I figured the trade-off must be worth it...

My preference would be to find a single product that I can sponge/brush on (like Satin Sheen) that will give all the protection a holster will need. It looks like Angelus Acrylic Finisher #600 may be just the ticket (Thanks Kevin)! This may cut out at least two steps in my process by (1) eliminating the need for Resolene, which in turn will (2) eliminate the need to apply a teflon spray to the interior to kill the tack/grab on the gun created by the Resolene.

Any other happy users of Angelus Acrylic Finisher products? Do you apply multiple coats? Do you give a final coat of something else like Resolene or a coat of wax, etc.?

[billymac814]

I'd be interested in hearing your results with the Angelus finish. Did you buy a quart of it? I used their dyes in the past and really liked them but the 3oz bottles were too small and I didn't see quarts at Springfield, or at least on their site so I just stuck with Fiebings.

I haven't noticed any tackiness with the resolene when I use it, I was very reluctant to use it for a long time because I thought it was going to make the leather look plastic, but I actually like the way it works.

I'm sure you'll be fine with whatever you use, your stuff is always top notch.

[gregintenn]

I have good luck with the aerosol can of Super Sheen. Just don't apply it too thick, or it will crack like ice when bent. Just spray it, let it dry for a few minutes, and apply and buff off a coat of neutral shoe polish. Looks great.

[Tina]

I appreciate the responses everyone. I've ordered a hide from Springfield before, and some dyes and stuff, but had gotten accustomed to the Satin Sheen results. This time I need to order a quart of dye too, so I figured I'd reduce the shipping cost a bit and just order both from Tandy. NOT!

Dickf - you asked why the two coats of Satin Sheen and a coat of Resolene - the thing I really like about Satin Sheen is that it absorbs into the leather so much, which I feel helps to stiffen the holster more. It's MY belief that this will also help to set the dyes a bit more too, helping to prevent/minimize dye transfer (I haven't gotten any complaints at all about dye transfer from any of my holsters, so I'm reluctant to change up my workflow too much). Lastly, I feel like it will help to glue/hold the thread in should the stitching ever begin to fail. Is any of this true? Yes, No, and Probably Not, but Maybe So! I started putting the Resolene on lightly with an airbrush as a final step just to give an added layer of protection against moisture. Personally, I don't like Resolene because I can't stand the tacky feel (even when lightly airbrushed). But, lots of people seem to use it so I figured the trade-off must be worth it...

My preference would be to find a single product that I can sponge/brush on (like Satin Sheen) that will give all the protection a holster will need. It looks like Angelus Acrylic Finisher #600 may be just the ticket (Thanks Kevin)! This may cut out at least two steps in my process by (1) eliminating the need for Resolene, which in turn will (2) eliminate the need to apply a teflon spray to the interior to kill the tack/grab on the gun created by the Resolene.

Any other happy users of Angelus Acrylic Finisher products? Do you apply multiple coats? Do you give a final coat of something else like Resolene or a coat of wax, etc.?

Hi,

I only use Angelus finisher and I'm more than happy with the product...Satin, Matte and Gloss (they also have High Gloss) I buy it in quarts for $18 and from this place where the prices seams to be the best. Really good service too, and no, I have nothing else to do with the place other than being a happy customer.

http://turtlefeather...s-products.html

Scroll down around half the page and you'll find the Acrylic Finishers.

Edited November 16, 2010 by Tina

[billymac814]

Tina,

Thanks for that link, they have Angelus dyes in pint bottles and are reasonably priced as well as some other things, I wish I wouldn't have just ordered 2 quarts of Fiebings. Do they ship fast?