Help Please! Sealing An Autograph...

[elf3]

So I'll start off saying I know nothing about leather... I need help!

I got the meet my FAVORITE country artist, Brantley Gilbert. He signed the inside of my cowboy boot! Now...I need to seal it because they are brand new and $120 bucks is a lot for a poor girl like me and I can't just set them on a shelf! The leather is died pink. It is in a spot that doesn't rub too much.

I have tried to do some research online for sealing techniques and after reading many articles I have come to one conclusion. I'm lost. The signature is in Sharpie. The boots are Ariat if that matters. I need a finish that can withstand the heat, stretching, and bending a boot goes through.

I've heard nail polish, leather sheen, acrylic resolene.... Anyone have some input? Any help is MUCH appreciated!! THANK YOU!

-Erica

(attached is a pic of the boot and Brantley, my friend and myself... I'm on the left!)

[elf3]

I was thinking the Leather Sheen because it can come in an aerosal that way I don't have to worry about touching the signature and smearing it. It sounds like it leaves a nice waxy, waterproof finish. I just worry about cracking and what I would do if I had to re-seal it.

[David8386]

Definitely a spray. Get a piece of scrap leather write on it with a sharpie and then spray. I would think clear lac or something like that but try it before using it on your boot.

David

[Cyberthrasher]

Clearlac is pretty hard to get even (and expensive for a one time application). Saddle-lac comes in a spray bottle and is fairly inexpensive. I would vote Resolene myself, since I know how well it covers sharpie and it's flexible and water resistant (NOTHING is water "proof"). If applied in thinned down light coats (50/50 with water) it won't go on heavy enough to crack and will still be flexible. If you or a friend have an airbrush, you can apply it that way. You'll definitely want to spray whatever you get so that you don't rub off the sharpie at all. Also, test whatever you do on a non-visible part of the boot just to make sure it doesn't have an adverse reaction to the finish that's already on them.

I just looked up the Leather Sheen. It looks like it's more of a conditioner/temporary finish. It will most likely wear off quite easily and need to be reapplied - at which time you're risking losing the signature. Anything with the word "wax" in it's name or description is most likely going to fall into this category.

Edited February 7, 2013 by Cyberthrasher

[elf3]

Thanks for your input guys! I know the resolene needs to be diluted, and I don't have access to a sprayer, so I guess I would lean more towards the Saddle-Lac because I'm not sure how I would apply the resolene without a sprayer. If the Saddle-Lac seems like a good option for me I think I will go for that. If it were to wear down, can it just be sprayed over again? I wish I knew SOMETHING about leather! The signature is on the inside of the boot, if I spray the inside, it won't get through to the outside, finished leather will it? I don't think I'm as worried about the coloring/finish as long as it just keeps the Sharpie there.

Sorry these are dumb questions, and sorry if you have been asked them before!

[radar67]

You can mix resolene 50/50 with water and use a trigger spray bottle that can be adjusted to a mist. I have a leather bracer signed by a couple of bands. I used the resolene and it works great.

[elf3]

When you say trigger spray do you mean something like a windex bottle sprayer?

[Cyberthrasher]

When you say trigger spray do you mean something like a windex bottle sprayer?

I hadn't thought of that, but it could work. I would probably actually lean toward a dollar store spray bottle that has an adjustable spray on it instead of the windex style that only has a choice between off/mist/stream with the possibility of adding chemicals. Either one of these (saddle-lac or resolene) would be able to be reapplied. If you go the resolene route in a spray bottle, I would mask off as much as the boot as possible so you can stand back and get a good mist. That will make sure you don't blast a huge amount on at once. I may try it when I get home tonight if I get a chance.

The other option is a preval sprayer, available at most craft stores (accept my local Joanne's!!).

http://www.dickblick.com/items/25003-0200/?clickTracking=true&wmcp=google&wmcid=items&wmckw=25003-0200&gclid=CPLZl4PTpLUCFWlxQgod0kEAPA

[radar67]

Yes, like a windex bottle. Another option is to use a sponge and just blot the resolene on the autograph.

[elf3]

Awesome! I actually have an adjustable one at home. I have read about something like the preval, I could do some calling around to see if I can find something around where I live. I think I'll go the resolene way. If you do try it out with the spray bottle, let me know!

Thank you so much for your help, I will hopefully order the resolene tonight ( was just going to go thru Tandy, they seemed the cheapest and they are in WI too so maybe they'll be cheaper shipping!) So maybe I can do it this weekend.

If I apply it 50/50 and just do a thin coat, how many coats do you put on? I don't want it too thick or it will crack, right? Then I'll probably let it dry for a month haha I'm so afraid to ruin it!

I could have had him sign something else that would be less work but what's the fun in a piece of paper?