Ambassador Don101 Posted July 24, 2008 Ambassador Report Posted July 24, 2008 Interesting subject, I didnt even know what casing was before i joined this forum, ofcourse i was wetting my leather dont get me wrong but it all seems a bit to mutch like rocket science to me or a good way to make money selling a product that you dont really need, ive been doing for years basically the same thing when i want to carve or stamp, i hold the leather under running water for a few mins then set it aside for a couple of hours till its nearly dry and cold to touch, no soaps chemicals or mouthwash,(LOL) although im going to give the spray bottle a try out and see if it works for me, Don Quote
Contributing Member UKRay Posted July 24, 2008 Author Contributing Member Report Posted July 24, 2008 Many thanks for putting me straight, WhineWine. I am perfectly happy to accept that surfactant is NOT soap or vice versa - and although it didn't sound like it, what I was actually imagining was the stuff in a Fairy Liquid bottle on my draining board - which, to my delight, just happens to be a detergent! Wanna give me some more clues on water soluble oils? I'm not sure I know any... Don, before I started this thread I used to get a nice big sponge and slop room temperature water over my leather with enthusiasm. I had never heard of Pro-Carve and the idea of mixing 'bathroom ingredients' with my casing water was completely alien to me. Now I have a spray bottle on my bench - I tried it tonight guys and it works like a dream, so thanks for that - warm water in the sponge bowl and I'm learning more chemistry than I knew existed. Ain't life grand! I love this forum. Quote "Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps" Ray Hatley www.barefootleather.co.uk
Members whinewine Posted July 25, 2008 Members Report Posted July 25, 2008 Ray, I'm not a chemist, but perhaps you need to google 'water soluable oils' & see what comes up. I know that "water & oil don't mix", but there are such things as water soluable oils. You may need to contact chemical forums, or even contact the lexol people themselves to see if it is available in the UK. Mostly I've used plain water to case my stuff, but I also use a homemade solution in a sprayer (I got the formula here on LWnet, btw) & I also use procarve & also the ecoflo spray version... whatever happens to be within reach. A lot depends upon whether plain water works best or the sprayer works best. Different leathers work better with different products sometimes. I know a particular Tandy store that uses nothing but plain water in a sprayer & I myself was taught to use only plain water applied with a sponge (but that was 35++ years ago, too- yet that still applies today) Bottom line, find what works best for you... If you can carve well with a particular set of parameters, then that's what you need to use- if not, try to find what does work. russ Quote
Members Rawhide Posted July 25, 2008 Members Report Posted July 25, 2008 Bottom line, find what works best for you... If you can carve well with a particular set of parameters, then that's what you need to use- if not, try to find what does work.russ Ray you can also try this...take a farily large scrap piece and divide it with a marker into fourths dunk one end (one fourth) in warm water. Use a sponge to wet one fourth with plain water, a spray bottle with plain water, and a solution mix (your choice) on the last fourth, let them get to the point of carving and run your swivel knife through them all in a straight line without stopping. See which one has the least resistance. Then try some of your favorite stamps and see which burnish better. Happy carving. Marlon Quote Marlon
Members Shelly Posted July 25, 2008 Members Report Posted July 25, 2008 OK - I've read this entire thread with interest - I personally will dunk large pieces in a tub of hot water, but will be sure it's not soaked thru, take it to the stamp rock, turn over and cover until I'm ready to start on it. I've used pro-carve, and now don't, because of the cost and because I couldn't really tell much difference, and I felt that my tools didn't stay where I put them when stamping (that was mentioned, I think) I am interested in knowing the breakdown on the mix of Lexol, water, and brown listerine - how much of each in the spray bottle (my bottle is a 'industrial type' from Wally-world - sprays a fine mist when the trigger is depressed as well as continuing this mist as it is released). I think it holds a qt...sort of sounds like mixing up salad dressing...I have a bottle of Lexol, and have two different floral saddles that I am interested in trying this out on...! Quote Shelly
Contributing Member barra Posted July 25, 2008 Contributing Member Report Posted July 25, 2008 Here is the formula as previously posted 1/2 cup Lexol 1-1/2 Cups distilled or filtered water 1 tablespoon Johnson's No More Tears Baby Shampoo 1 tablespoon Listerine Barra Quote "If You're not behind the Troops, please feel free to stand in front of them"
Members tonyc1 Posted July 25, 2008 Members Report Posted July 25, 2008 Here is the formula as previously posted1/2 cup Lexol 1-1/2 Cups distilled or filtered water 1 tablespoon Johnson's No More Tears Baby Shampoo 1 tablespoon Listerine Barra Barra, can we get Lexol here in Aus? Tony. Quote
Contributing Member barra Posted July 25, 2008 Contributing Member Report Posted July 25, 2008 (edited) Tony. Yes it is available in Australia. Try your local saddleries or places that specialise in car care products, eg: http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/brands/lexol P.S. Forgot to mention, look for the brown bottle as that is the conditioner and not the cleaner in the orange bottle. Barra Edited July 25, 2008 by barra Quote "If You're not behind the Troops, please feel free to stand in front of them"
Members tonyc1 Posted July 25, 2008 Members Report Posted July 25, 2008 Tony. Yes it is available in Australia. Try your local saddleries or places that specialise in car care products, eg:http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/brands/lexol P.S. Forgot to mention, look for the brown bottle as that is the conditioner and not the cleaner in the orange bottle. Barra Thanks, Barra! Quote
Contributing Member UKRay Posted July 25, 2008 Author Contributing Member Report Posted July 25, 2008 (edited) Slipping tools: Has anyone else experienced this when using Pro-Carve? It sounds a tad dangerous to me. Listerine appears to have some other uses, see: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1472...adero_Cuba.html Suppliers List: It would be very helpful if those who are using esoteric chemicals and specific products could tell others where to obtain them and a rough idea of cost. I have started the ball rolling with a brief list of UK suppliers below - could those of you from around the world help out here? Thanks for the Thymol tip-off Art! UK people can get Thymol from: Paynes Bee Farm Ltd, Bentley Cottage, Wickham Hill, Hassocks, West Sussex. BN6 9NP www.paynesbeefarm.co.uk Tel: 01273 843388 Price: £4.95 per 100gms I have also found a UK based supplier for Lexol conditioner for anyone who fancies a bit of leather alchemy - I just ordered mine! www.motorgeek.co.uk/lexol-leather-cleaner-p-121.html at £9.99 per 500ml Edited July 25, 2008 by UKRay Quote "Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps" Ray Hatley www.barefootleather.co.uk
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.