How To Get A Thick High Gloss?

[gicts]

Hey All! I'm looking to get a very high and thick gloss finish similar to the commercial holsters and sheath makers. I have tried several different techniques and products but I haven't found anything that works. The closest thing that I got to was Fiebing's high gloss spray-until it dried and when the leather flexed the finish cracked and turned green until I flaked it off. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[marine mp]

Gicts,

I may be wrong (am most of the time!!!) but I don't believe that the commercial holster makers use a "thick". gloss finish. Any kind of a "thick" gloss or satin or dull finish would crack and peel, as you have found. I don't know what the large outfits use, but I can tell you what I use, successfully. It isn't "shiny, as I usually don't make a shiny holster, but it does have a nice, waterproof lustre. I use 2 coats of resolene cut 50/50 w/water. Let that dry overnight and then finish off with a mixture of bees wax, parafin wax, and pure neatsfoot oil all mixed together on the stove (equal parts in weight) and the pour into a cupcake tin and let solidify. Rub this mixture into the leather and then buff out. I also sometimes use neutral shoe polish instead of the above miixture, but it doesn't waterproof as well. Some folks say that you don't need a finish over resolene, as it seals the leather. I prefer to put something over the resolene. Just my preference. All the above advise was gleaned right here on this board...it isn't my own thinking as the folks on here, make me look like a novice. All good people. Good-on-ya. Semper-fi Mike

Edited December 1, 2011 by marine mp

[gicts]

Gicts,

I may be wrong (am most of the time!!!) but I don't believe that the commercial holster makers use a "thick". gloss finish. Any kind of a "thick" gloss or satin or dull finish would crack and peel, as you have found. I don't know what the large outfits use, but I can tell you what I use, successfully. It isn't "shiny, as I usually don't make a shiny holster, but it does have a nice, waterproof luster. I use 2 coats of resolene cut 50/50 w/water. Let that dry overnight and then finish off with a mixture of bees wax, parafin wax, and pure neatsfoot oil all mixed together on the stove (equal parts in weight) and the pour into a cupcake tin and let solidify. Rub this mixture into the leather and then buff out. I also sometimes use neutral shoe polish instead of the above mixture, but it doesn't waterproof as well. Some folks say that you don't need a finish over resolene, as it seals the leather. I prefer to put something over the resolene. Just my preference. All the above advise was gleaned right here on this board...it isn't my own thinking as the folks on here, make me look like a novice. All good people. Good-on-ya. Semper-fi Mike

I appreciate the response! Right now I am only using the resolene. I'm going to have to try your concoction on top of it.

[katsass]

Hey All! I'm looking to get a very high and thick gloss finish similar to the commercial holsters and sheath makers. I have tried several different techniques and products but I haven't found anything that works. The closest thing that I got to was Fiebing's high gloss spray-until it dried and when the leather flexed the finish cracked and turned green until I flaked it off. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

FWIW from the old grumpy guy; That high and thick gloss of law enforcement equipment you mention is NOT leather --- it's a synthetic substance now being used more and more by the big manufactures as an offer as a less expensive substiute for leather. With is there is no upkeep as we used to have to perform. Personally, I despise the look of the stuff, it looks like what it is --- cheap plastic. Mike

[malabar]

FWIW from the old grumpy guy; That high and thick gloss of law enforcement equipment you mention is NOT leather --- it's a synthetic substance now being used more and more by the big manufactures as an offer as a less expensive substiute for leather. With is there is no upkeep as we used to have to perform. Personally, I despise the look of the stuff, it looks like what it is --- cheap plastic. Mike

But what about the glossy finish used by Milt Sparks and others? It's not thick, but it is glossy, and does NOT look like plastic. Is it NeatLac?

tk

[katsass]

But what about the glossy finish used by Milt Sparks and others? It's not thick, but it is glossy, and does NOT look like plastic. Is it NeatLac?

tk

I'm pretty sure that they use one of the lacquers formulated for leather. Mike

[malabar]

I'm pretty sure that they use one of the lacquers formulated for leather. Mike

Makes sense. It's a pretty finish and real durable. I wore a Milt Sparks VMII daily for three years in the Florida heat, and 90% of the finish is still intact.

tk