"use Wax Instead Of Acrylic Sealer"

[particle]

I have a customer that asked that me NOT to apply a final acrylic finish to his order. He would like a wax finish instead of acrylic. I'm fine with that, but the acrylic helps to stiffen the holster a bit. So, if I skip the acrylic, what's the best way to apply a wax finish? Leather Sheen? Or rub beeswax over it and melt it in with a hair dryer? or something else?

Acrylic sealers seem to help stiffen the holster, so I'd like to find a wax method that can help stiffen the leather if possible.

[particle]

FYI - the customer was referring specifically to the "Color & Finish" section of the following page.

http://www.frontiergunleather.com/index.php/home/3-things-to-know/16-product-customization

[IngleGunLeather]

I'd like to hear a little more about the alternate ways of finishing as well. Would the "wax" finish described on Bianchi's page be talking about a polish type finish? Aren't shoe polishes wax based? I also read somewhere that a liquid wax finish was used. I didn't see anything like that on Tandy's website.

[Iron Pounder]

Sno seal tends to stiffen the leather up a bit. Have you tried that on anything. I like it, it is easy to get and is cheap.

[evandailey]

I frequently use Montana Pitch Blend as my final finish. It is a wax, oil, pitch combination. It is as good of a waterproofer as the 50/50 acrylic. It is easy to apply by just rubbing it in at room temperature.

[Iron Pounder]

Yep if you can get it locally it's great. I have to order it here. It does have a pine smell that some don't care for. Sno seal tends to darken the leather just a bit and MPB doesn't. MPB doesn't do much to harden the leather though.

[SooperJake]

I heard many years ago that Sno-Seal degraded stitching over time. I heeded the warning so can't confirm or deny it. It does contain mineral spirits.

[IngleGunLeather]

found this doing a search.....

Nikwax

Fiebing's Leather Balm with Atom Wax

[particle]

I have some of the Leather Balm with Atom Wax and really like it - but, it REALLY pulls up the dye and muddies up my stitching. Perhaps I'm just rubbing it too much as I apply it and need to change my application method. I've been rubbing it on with a cloth in circular motions and letting it dry before buffing it. I've seen a lot of people recommend Sno-Seal, but I've never looked at it before. I wasn't aware it's a beeswax product. Montana Pitch Blend sounds good too. I'll look into all of them - thanks for the suggestions!

[rdb]

There is an old method, using a mixture of melted mink, neats, and beeswax. Dunk or brush on. Then heat in an oven. I used to use it in the 70s. It really hardened up after heating. Worked really well on knife sheaths. There is a learning curve to the mixture, and application. Too much of a good thing, sort of.