Acrylic Paint And Conditioning Leather

[5avan10]

I can't speak much about conditioners and finishes as I don't have much experience there yet, but I can say as an artist that Sharpie markers aren't a good choice for your work. Most colors of Sharpie markers, after about 800 hours' exposure to the sun, will have faded away to almost nothing. This sounds like a lot of time, but on a dog collar, assuming the dog gets to be outdoors for an average of 3 hours each day, the markings won't even last a full year.

[ReneeCanady]

Oh man, I think I am confussed now. I use neatsfoot oil, then stain, then acrylic, then a spray finish. I sometimes use aussie conditioner as a finish, but do not know if that hold up long term. I will find out at some point I guess. I like the aussie because it gives the gloss of super sheen and in my opinion is a little more water proof. I can finish something with super sheen, dry, then trinkle with water and it does repel it mostly, but with aussie it seems like it beads up and completely runs off.

[Toolingaround]

Hi ReneeCanady

Ya that sounds about right but even if you goof up the order of things it is often still going to work out just fine. You don't nessesarily need to use a spray finish over acrylics just be careful with anything with alcohol in it. For me things always spray on too thick out of the can or I can't get it even. I don't have an airbrush or anything like that yet but I hear they work well.

Thanks for the info on Aussie conditioner. I would like to try that at some point.

I agree with the sharpie advice as I have seen sharpies fade and blead on other materials so I don't trust them on leather. That said many people use them on leather and love them.

I forgot to mention in my earlier post to always build up thin layers of acrylic paint. Looks much nicer that way espeshaly the metallics. Sometimes I will use a base coat of another color under the metallics to intensify them.

Good luck, do tests and go for it. There are so many ways to do things. Don't stress about doing things "right" just find out what is right for you.

Cheers, Toolingaround

[Toolingaround]

Hi again

I just realized my earlier post is a wee bit confusing. I should clarify I love saddle lac but don't use it anymore over acrylics.

My favorite finish is a version of the traditional neat lac and feibings antique paste finish only I use saddle lac because I don't have neat lac and I am not fond of toluene.

In general I tool sometimes conditioning the leather first if it is dry. Then oil if I have not done it yet, alcohol based dye, resist with either leather sheen or saddle lac, then feibings antique paste, either another layer of leather sheen and saddle lac or strait to saddle lac. I find that water proof and forgiving if the piece gets wet from the back. I do sometimes get very fine cracking from the saddle lace but I don't mind it. That is just what works for me with my collection of products on hand and I often good up the steps and things work out. If I am using acrylics I use an acrylic sealer of some sort now days.

Honestly I am not trying to be a know it all just thought I better clarifie what I am doing.

Have a good one everybody

Cheers Toolingaround