jbird Report post Posted August 31, 2008 Howdy Ok so I have a question one of my belts has these little hair line cracks along it what is causing this and can I avoid it happining again. Josh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomSwede Report post Posted August 31, 2008 Is it on the grain or the edge? Acrylic sealers can crack up if you "bend backwards". What I think happens is that the grainside compresses and tiny tiny folds (creases??) arises and within theese folds the sealer can show a cracked effect. I used this as a technique once to make a craqelluered (spelling) effect. I keep my belt allways rolled the right way when stored and told the customer for the other one I made to keep it stored like that. I advice my bracers customers to NEVER bend them backwards and don't let people borrow or play with them. I notice when I bring my stuff to work to show people that they think you can treat leather just in anyway and some just have to bend, stretch and "test" the stuff in unthinkable ways. Perhaps you can snap a pic to show us? Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbird Report post Posted August 31, 2008 tom you nailed it there just tiny cracks in the sealer I had thout that might be it but you convinsed (spelling) me it is on the grain top of the belt it is that horse belt I did, don't have it for pic though thanks tom. Josh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomSwede Report post Posted September 1, 2008 Yep! Belts are in the highrisk zone to attract those microcracks. I think I will try with a beeswax product in future for belt's. I don't have a recommendation how to salvage it (if it is bad) but if it was my own and alot of them I probably try with an alcohol thinner and try on a test piece with same stain sealer and try to wipe off carefully. I did do so on one of the fishes on a rod tube because the sealer got so purplish from all the antiques I had on. Just wiped of a little with a cloth with thinner , the silver dye underneath the sealer was just a little frayed away, re-applied silver and sealer, looked as good as new. This was Fiebing leather sheen dauber on type. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbird Report post Posted September 1, 2008 Belts are touchy they need care and people want give any they really get hammered. it is not bad I noticed it when he brought to me for a new hole and a buckle going to look in to a different finish though. thanks Tom. Josh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post Posted September 1, 2008 Good reason not to use acrylic sealers on hard use items. On your next one, try neat-lac. I also thoroughly rub in carnuba cream from the back side. It softens the leather a good bit, but to me, the advantages outweigh any disadvantages of doing it....actually, I don't know any disadvantage, except it might be harder to tool after the fact. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbird Report post Posted September 1, 2008 Mike, Amen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
