Fiebing's Lac Kote Turns Ugly Color

[jacket potato]

Hi,

I want to get a glossy finish on NOT dyed leather - just natural color plus some lacquer. The only lacquer I was able to find here in the UK is Fiebing's Lac Kote from http://abbeyengland.com/

But they had it on "Closeout sale" and the cans I received were all damaged with tiny rusty dots and Laquer was slowly but surely leaking leaving me with 2/3 of lacquer in each can. They sent me some more to compensate for but those were the same. They said the cans have been in their stock on shelves like for ages and probably gone rusty.

I had to buy plastic bottles from Tandy and empty all cans in there.

Now about my problem.

This lacquer I am trying to use on leather turns greenish/grey/dirty color. Very unattractive color I must say. I tried on different leathers but all the same.

I tried to use this lacquer on dyed leather, particularly with EF Antique gel and it works perfectly - it is glossy and color does not change. But the leather must be fully covered with dye (antique gel) otherwise once the lacquer comes in contact with clear part of leather or even with very thin layer of dye - it turns dirty greenish grey. And I want to use it on clean leather with no dyes.

I tried to seal leather with Super Shene first and then apply lacquer but then another problem here - it gets mouldy in a week or so. Like a thin layer of white fungus in all cuts and impressions. I wipe that mould off and even tried to apply Super Shene again on top but the mould comes again in a very short time.

Could someone please help me with this - does anyone know what can cause such behaviour of this lacquer? Is it those rusty cans - maybe rust affected it somehow? And what should I do know? Is there some solution or should I just give up?

Any help will be much appreciated. Thank you!

[Cyberthrasher]

I have absolutely no idea about your issue, other than it's just old. But, I was recently looking around for someone else I saw that Tandy in the UK sells saddle-lac in the spray can.

http://www.tandyleather.eu/en-gbp/home/department/leather-dye/leather-finish/2201-00.aspx

[Jax]

I tried to get some of that from Abbey but they were out of stock, after reading your post I am glad they were... It sounds to me like the product has possibly gone off, personally I would contact Abbey regarding your problem, if it has gone off its is clearly unfit for purpose & they shouldn't of sold it, the leaky cans make me suspicious too, its a hazardous substance so I believe & they shouldnt have posted it, especially if they were leaking!!

[jacket potato]

I tried to get some of that from Abbey but they were out of stock, after reading your post I am glad they were... It sounds to me like the product has possibly gone off, personally I would contact Abbey regarding your problem, if it has gone off its is clearly unfit for purpose & they shouldn't of sold it, the leaky cans make me suspicious too, its a hazardous substance so I believe & they shouldnt have posted it, especially if they were leaking!!

At the time I bought it I did not realise its gone off or something like that. We dont have Neat-lac here in UK or any other lac for that matter so I was just very happy that I had that one from Abbey! They sent me my order twice (second time to compensate for leaking cans) and I was glad with that, too.

And when I started trying to use it and the color was ugly I just thought I am doing something wrong ( I am still very much a newbie with leather craft.

Anyway, it is done now and I am just left with lots of Lac Kote bottles. I still can use it on top of dye although that is not what I wanted in the first place..

Thank you all for pespond!

I have absolutely no idea about your issue, other than it's just old. But, I was recently looking around for someone else I saw that Tandy in the UK sells saddle-lac in the spray can.

http://www.tandyleat...sh/2201-00.aspx

Thank you for the link!

I saw that spray but I am not sure if it goes a long way that amount? How many bags can I spray with that bottle? To me it looks quite expensive, but then - I never tried it..

[TwinOaks]

I saw that spray but I am not sure if it goes a long way that amount? How many bags can I spray with that bottle? To me it looks quite expensive, but then - I never tried it..

You could just spray the finish onto the leather, but i've found it works MUCH better to spray onto s piece of sheepswool then apply. The lacquer finish really needs to be rubbed into the leather, not just sprayed on top. I just sprayed a clutch purse, and the finish peeled off in large flakes.

[jacket potato]

You could just spray the finish onto the leather, but i've found it works MUCH better to spray onto s piece of sheepswool then apply. The lacquer finished eally need to be rubbed into the leather, not just sprqyd on top. I just sprayed a clutch purse, and the finish peeled off in large flakes.

Thank you I will take it to consideration!

[WinterBear]

If the cans were rusty, and the product turned undyed leather gray/greenish black, then it is the iron oxide from the rust causing a chemical reaction with the leather to give you that color. A sort of vinegaroon, if you will.