Another Ruger Holster!

[ShortBBL]

I like the design mods I did on this one vs the last one. I am still going to make some changes. Before too long, I hope you'll see a BIG change!

My edges are coming along nicely... now after a few more pattern changes, I REALLY need to get some help on my finishes.

I have tried neatsfoot oil and then WYOSHEEN but I am having a heck of a time getting a smooth, streak free finish! Tried wool, tried wool with a GI haircut, tried wool daubers..... ugh.... applying this WYOSHEEN is just a PITA!

What do you guys use to get a nice finish?

[katsass]

I like the design mods I did on this one vs the last one. I am still going to make some changes. Before too long, I hope you'll see a BIG change!

My edges are coming along nicely... now after a few more pattern changes, I REALLY need to get some help on my finishes.

I have tried neatsfoot oil and then WYOSHEEN but I am having a heck of a time getting a smooth, streak free finish! Tried wool, tried wool with a GI haircut, tried wool daubers..... ugh.... applying this WYOSHEEN is just a PITA!

What do you guys use to get a nice finish?

I usually use Fiebing's Leather Sheen.....mist it on with an airbrush. A couple of shots, let it dry thoroughly then a bit of neutral shoe polish rubbed in with my fingers and buffed with an old, soft washcloth. Mike

[Haystacker]

Nice looking holster.

Jeff

[TwinOaks]

Question: Are you applying to the leather and then trying to spread it, or applying to the pad and rubbing it on? I had all kinds of trouble trying to spray on neat-lac and then rub in, then I started spraying in a small steel cup or spraying directly on a rag then applying to the leather. Works much better if it's already on your rag/pad because you're rubbing it ON instead of AROUND.

[ShortBBL]

Thanks guys for the comments.

TwinOaks: I have tried spraying it on and not rubbing at all, just letting it dry. That method actually works pretty good BUT..... once I am out of the stuff... I'm out and there is no more, UNLESS I can maybe try airbrushing WYOSHEEN? WYO is laquer based I think.... but maybe I'm wrong and it's water based. I need to find that out!

When I try to apply it with wool or wool daubers or foam pad.... I get the applicator wet with the stuff and rub it on the leather.... it looks ok when real wet, but once dry it has streaks.

Getting a real good finish is the hardest step for me so far!

I really like to dip my project in neatsfoot oil and let it drip dry and once dry, then try the wyo.... it's the way Bianchi shows in his DVD's... and it looks great for him!

I also tried putting leather balm with atom wax on the dried oiled leather but that didn't go too well either.

Question: Are you applying to the leather and then trying to spread it, or applying to the pad and rubbing it on? I had all kinds of trouble trying to spray on neat-lac and then rub in, then I started spraying in a small steel cup or spraying directly on a rag then applying to the leather. Works much better if it's already on your rag/pad because you're rubbing it ON instead of AROUND.

[Lobo]

It might be possible that you are rushing the finishing process, too soon after applying the neatsfoot oil. I suggest allowing the neatsfoot oil to completely "settle in" to the leather prior to applying your finish. About 24 hours seems to work well.

Neatsfoot oil does not dry, it is absorbed into the leather fibers and will migrate throughout until a balance is reached (what I refered to as "settle in" above). If there is a significant residue on the exterior surface when you start applying your finish coat that could be the result of the streaking you have described.

[katsass]

I like the design mods I did on this one vs the last one. I am still going to make some changes. Before too long, I hope you'll see a BIG change!

My edges are coming along nicely... now after a few more pattern changes, I REALLY need to get some help on my finishes.

I have tried neatsfoot oil and then WYOSHEEN but I am having a heck of a time getting a smooth, streak free finish! Tried wool, tried wool with a GI haircut, tried wool daubers..... ugh.... applying this WYOSHEEN is just a PITA!

What do you guys use to get a nice finish?

ShortBBL, It looks to me that you may be trying to put too much on, AND, too quickly, and as Lobo says, you may not be allowing the neatsfoot to settle in for long enough. I personally do not care to apply a finish with wool, sponge, or cloth....it's too easy to get too much on. I shoot my finishes on with the airbrush...and just 'mist' it on as you would do with lacquer on a fine cabinet. I'm not familiar with WYO SHEEN, but all of the 'sheen' products that I know of are acrylic based products........they will penetrate the leather well. When I shoot any 'Sheen' product, if I can see ANY of the milky white on my leather.......I'm too close and getting too much on. I don't know exactly what appearance you prefer, but to me, too much shine detracts from the appearance of the leather. Just a couple of shots....with drying time between ..... and I get a nice satin finish. I follow with just a little neutral wax.....applied with my fingers and then buffed. It looks more natural to me. JMHO. Here is a holster for a Charter Arms Bulldog that I did about a year ago...and a sheath for a Schrade skinner that I did the same way about 30 years ago. It works for me. Mike

Edited November 21, 2010 by katsass

[ShortBBL]

Thanks again guys! Maybe I am rushing it a bit. I may also have to think about getting an airbrush setup, although I haven't a clue on what/where to get it.

Does anyone here dip-oil there stuff? In the Bianchi DVD's, that how he does it. He uses undyed leather and dips them in neatsfoot oil for a short time... they end up with a pretty nice honey or saddle tan finish. It sounds like he has an expensive drying setup, but he didn't show that part. Laying it out to dry for 24-48 hours might be the ticket if one has no drying system.

With NeatLac in the spray cans, my finishes turn out fine (as long as I do it in two or three light passes) so maybe using the daubers, wool scrapes etc, is putting too much on at a time.

I really need to get this worked out. My leather work is getting to the point where I am happy with it, except for the finish.

Thanks for all the ideas!

[TwinOaks]

When you run out of Neat-lac, check out Deft spray lacquer from Lowes/HomeDepot. I read about it in a post (somewhere on here) and figured....why not? The stuff smells and acts a lot like neatlac....maybe a little faster drying.

[katsass]

ShortBBL:Iinexpensive, (relatively..at around $70) is this rig from Harbor Freight. That's for the little compressor and a set of their 'quick change' airbrush. A little practice and you will do well with it, until you want a more adjustable brush. Mike