Edge Kote Is Just Rubbing Off...

[kayrunp]

I used edge kote on a bracelet and key fob. I tried applying leather balm with atom wax but when i rub the edges it just pulls the stuff off. Also if it gets wet it just comes off. was this a mistake? I wanted the edges dyed in contrast to the leather. is there something I am suppose to do to seal? the directions say buff, but it comes off when I do that. I burnished them with water and saddle soap before applying. I am afraid the bracelet is just going to bleed and the edges just disappear.

Thanks for any help!

[NVLeatherWorx]

Do you have any images that show what is happening? I noticed that you used saddle soap to burnish the edges, where did you learn that one? In my experience I have found saddle soap creates problems when you are trying to dye veg-tan leather as it tends to leave a residue that prohibits penetration into the fibers. I also only use leather dye on my edges versus edge kote due so that the color penetration is more set. I always burnish first, moistened with water only, and allow to dry thoroughly before I do the edge dye. I use Fiebing's products only as I have done for the past 30 plus years. Just about everything else is a water-based product and just doesn't have the staying power needed.

Hope this helps shed some light on this for you.

[terrymac]

If you will go to the "How do I do This" part of the forum. Bob Park (Hidepounder) has provided the best tutorial on finishing edges I know of, and he explains the how and why of using saddle soap. The problem of using Edge Kote is that it just does as the name implies and simply coats the edge with no dying whatsoever. Instead of using saddle soap, I personally have gone to using a product called "Quik Slick" avaiable thru Sheridan Leather, and it also accepts a dye readily.

Hope this helps,

Terry

Edited November 15, 2012 by terrymac

[kayrunp]

Thanks for the info.

I think it was the saddle soap that caused the problem for adhering the evil edge kote. Can I save the project or should i toss them aside. Could I rub alcohol on them to get what I can off and apply regular oil dye?

Thanks,

Karen

[Northmount]

Thanks for the info.

I think it was the saddle soap that caused the problem for adhering the evil edge kote. Can I save the project or should i toss them aside. Could I rub alcohol on them to get what I can off and apply regular oil dye?

Thanks,

Karen

Was it too much heat and pressure from burnishing that caused bits or patches to flake off? Happened to me a while ago. I did some sanding, redyed the edge and managed to make it passable. I have found certain types of glue cause problems, especially with how well the dye will take.

And I didn't use edge coat.

Tom

Edited November 15, 2012 by northmount

[kayrunp]

i used water and saddle soap to burnish, first water, than some saddle soap. When i got a nice edge, i coated with the edge kote. now if i try and buff it up it comes off. if it gets wet it comes off. I am afraid to touch it. It says on the bottle water-resistant. I don't want it to come off on peoples clothing and also to just come off and look bad.

[Northmount]

i used water and saddle soap to burnish, first water, than some saddle soap. When i got a nice edge, i coated with the edge kote. now if i try and buff it up it comes off. if it gets wet it comes off. I am afraid to touch it. It says on the bottle water-resistant. I don't want it to come off on peoples clothing and also to just come off and look bad.

Did you let it dry for 24 hours before the edge kote? Sounds like it didn't adhere to the smooth burnished surface. Saddle soap is kind of waxy, and most things don't want to stick to a waxy or oiled surface. Also how long did you let it dry before buffing it? I think all these things are working against you.

Do an experiment on some scrap (same leather) paying attention to all these items. I guess your experiment could be to see if it works if there is enough drying time, and on the down side, see if you can sand the edge off lightly to get rid of the edge kote, dye the edge, then buff and burnish as before (without edge kote).

If it is the saddle soap that is preventing the edge kote from staying in place, then try just water for burnishing.

Hope you can work it out without too much more pain.

Tom