Rubberlike Edge Coating, What Is It?

[ConradPark]

Fenice leather edge paint and similar professional brands are based on synthetic polymers, so they are in a sense a plastic. Most major fashion houses and high end brands use this for their goods. The main reason is that most use chrome tanned leather and this doesn't burnish, but it's not unusual to see veg tan with painted edges too. The reasons for this is mostly down to production, as larger manufacturers rely on machinery, including 'edge paint machines' for their leather goods. Among crafters the use of painting edges often have a bad reputation and many accuse cheap brands covering up low quality leather and vinyl with paint. And while this is not entirely untrue, the fact remains that in some instances there are no alternatives, and done well - it can look amazing. And contrary to general belief, it's actually as much work if not more, to do well - compared to burnishing veg tan.

For a long time these professional paints were difficult to get hold of unless you bought it wholesale (there are quite a few threads here about the subject) but Tandy did stock it for a while in 250ml (here in the UK they have unfortunately discontinued it) and in my opinion was one of the few good things they had to offer. And a quite a few smaller online shops offer these and similar brands as well, in small quantities.

Like with everything else, it's not magical stuff and takes some practice to master. You do not need any electrical edge creaser, just apply thin layers ( I find it easier to use a cocktail stick and roll on the paint than to use a brush), let it dry and harden in between (at least an hour, preferably longer) sand it with fine (dry) wet sandpaper/ 600-1000 grit, apply another layer, repeat until you're satisfied (in my experience you're good if you can do it with 3 layers), let it harden for 24 hours and rub/polish it with your favorite wax formula. Also, an open bottle of paint is more or less worthless after a year to one and half, as oxygen deteriorate the binding qualities of the paint.

If you apply it too thick or are restless and start sanding it too soon, you'll end up with a rubber like goo of a mess.

Good Luck, and remember to practice on some scrap first.

Edited April 13, 2016 by ConradPark

[MudBugWill]

I use fenice edge paint. I think it comes out pretty decently.

Edited April 16, 2016 by MudBugWill

[Blini]

I used a product from a company in India called Chemi-Co. The edge ink or edge paint they are selling is pretty good. Dont remember the name of their product. mail them up and check. Got full finish like rubber in just 1 coat. better than Fenice or Vernis hands down. Also dried in 3 minutes. Try It!

chemicosales@gmail.com

[Blini]

On 5/8/2011 at 9:03 PM, TwinOaks said:

oops!!!!

Yeah, dura edge.

Although, I bet duraCOAT on leather would be pretty resistant to damage!`

Its the same product from Chemi co.. i have the pictures attached. try mailing them, forgot their product name.

chemicosales@gmail.com

 

[MarlysRae]

Conrad, sorry, for this late response.  I totally haven't come in here since the day I posted, here.  Anyway, your post was so amazing and informative.  You must have been working on this for quite a while.  I'm starting to see that you are correct, burnishing an edge is much less complicated and time consuming that doing a hand finished edge painting job! 

Thanks to all of you for your kind responses.  I will try to be better about checking in here.  I'm putting an image of an edge I painted with some Giardini edge paint about a month ago.

After spending a few hundred bucks on edge paints, I'm feeling that I like the look and permanency of a nice burnished and waxed edge.  It's not easy to do with chrome but I'm now doing a rolled edge handle that is thick enough to try some burnishing and waxing on.  I really like Fiebings Leather Balm with Atom Wax.

Thanks again for the information all of you posted and being able to soak up conclusions that took you (all) years to come to is helping me loads!

 

Edited August 12, 2016 by MarlysRae

[Japi]

Chemico sell rubbing paste and cleaning compounds in the UK, what did you say the web site was?

 

Edited October 8, 2016 by Japi

[Japi]

You should check out the Giadini website!  www.leatheredgepaint.com.    I think this looks like the nearest thing to the real deal you or I are going to get.

[MarlysRae]

Thanks, I bought it and like it ok but lately I'm burnishing and waxing instead.  I like the finish.  Just a lot of work.

[abbasi2658431]

On 5/8/2011 at 1:24 AM, stelmackr said:

I've been experimenting with some acrylic mediums and have a little PDF file on what I have found:

edge_finishes_for_chrome_tanned_leather.pdfUnavailable

There is a particular acrylic medium (Clear Tar Gel) that does have a rubber like feel to it. All the acrylic mediums can be simply colored with acrylic paints (ie. black, brown) or left clear.

Bob Stelmack

www.pslac.org

Would you upload this file again, please

[sbrownn]

Who cares what Hermes would do.  They are mass producing for people that are buying mediocre quality and a name.

"Also, I think it somewhat cheapens the product in some cases. I've noticed a lot of mass produced items use this rubberized coating technique. Just my 2 cents."

Totally agree.   Edge paint seems to me like nothing more than a way to not have to bother finishing edges.  I like the look of a finished natural edge.

On 11/17/2016 at 9:23 AM, MarlysRae said:

Thanks, I bought it and like it ok but lately I'm burnishing and waxing instead.  I like the finish.  Just a lot of work.

Yeah, no free lunch out there.  You want something look like it was made by someone who cared then you have to put some work into it.