Antiquing - a cry for help

[UKRay]

I have just finished antiquing three belts, I have the horrible stinkin' stuff up my arms, in my hair and all over my bench. It is on both sides of the belts (okay, the back isn't entirely covered with it, but you get the idea...) and I even managed to get some on the dog who was not amused.

There must be an easier way to apply antiquing and get a great finish with it without coloring everything else in a ten yard radius at the same time.

My method is as follows: I stain the leather with a wool dauber (usually with tan or British tan stain). I then open the jar of 'Fiebings Foulness' and stick a bit of rag into the pot, kinda scooping out a healthy dollop. I then slap the dollop as carefully as possible onto the surface to be antiqued.

This is where the trouble starts as the stuff then develops a mind of its own. I carefully smooth it along the surface trying to fill in all the tooling. I'm constantly aware that I have to work quite quickly as the durn stuff dries out so fast. I reach the other end of the piece of work and then I notice a bit I missed so I have to go back to it, spreading black guck in, on and around the piece of work.

At that point I give up trying to be neat - this is war! When I have finally coated the job in guck I then try to polish it off with a clean rag... ha! Now we are really getting into trouble as the stuff migrates from rag to hand to head to dog to wall to ceiling without me being aware of it - how does this happen?

Having got rid of the surplus guck by spreading it around the room I then try to seal the job.

I've tried Tan Kote - boy does that stuff stink, I can't stand the stench and it makes me want to honk!

I've tried Resolene - which just seems to remove the antiquing from the tooling leaving a sludgy mess.

I've tried El Cheapo floor polish which kinda works okay but has a limited life expectancy

I've tried beeswax polishes which just lift the antiquing and spread it all over the job.

There must be a hundred different ways of getting antiquing onto leather and finishing it nicely - all I want is one that works! - What am I doing wrong? How do you saddlery people do those wonderful, beautiful intricate saddle panels? Can you PLEASE tell me how you do this stuff?

(Oh yes, and does anyone know how you get the stuff off dogs? LOL!!!)

Edited September 12, 2008 by UKRay

[Luke Hatley]

RAY CAN YOU POST A PHOTO OF WHAT YOU DID.

THIS IS MY WHITE ANTIQUE FOR OUTLINING LETTERS.

[UKRay]

I'm still trying to get the filthy stuff outta the dog fur and offa my hands, Luke!

Let it suffice to say I wouldn't dream of embarrassing myself further... Just think long, black and covered in slime... much like a large eel! LOL

Actually, make that three large eels...

Edited September 12, 2008 by UKRay

[rdb]

It's hard getting the knack of it.

One solution is taping the back first, this simply prevents the back from getting stained. As for the rest of the room...spread the Sunday paper around...lol

I use a flat board with a cloth to wipe off most of the top gunk. Then when it's drier, I just use cloth in hand.

Leather balm has always worked for me, but let the project dry overnight before applying any topcoat.

If you don't need the color, and just want the design/carving to be accented, Hi-Liter works the best.

[jbird]

not that I am very knowledgable but I have done about 20-25 belts and cases and belt buckles with Tandy highlight stain and it is fantastic and clean that's my $0.00001 worth.

Josh

[David]

Ray,

First of all let me recommend latex gloves. They do wonders for the hands. I actually scoop up that dollop with my hand. Then instead of wiping off the excess with a cloth....(you have to constantly turn the cloth to find a cleaner spot.....) Try paper towels.... and throw them away frequently. Also spread newspaper around everywhere. As far as finish... let the project dry.... really dry at least a day.

Then buff it very hard with a soft cloth. After that Leather balm works for me.... it will move some of the antiquing around .... but plenty will remain. Apply the leather balm sparingly, allow to dry and buff some more with that soft cloth.

That's my method.

David Theobald

[shirleyz]

I'm with David,

Gloves, gloves, gloves! (The girl that does my nails screams that at me) I spread newspaper, and I have a pile of paper towels ready, already separated, and slightly damp. When I have got all the c**p off I buff it with a soft dry rag also. You have to let it dry. I like satin sheen as a finish, and Pecards to waterproof it.

ShirleyZ

[Schno]

Unfortunately, I don't have any answers with regard to antiquing... only more questions. My problem with antiquing is that the few times I've tried it (I've only ever used Tandy's gel antique), it stains the whole project too dark. Following the directions of 'Apply. Wait about five minutes. Buff off' seems to be a bunch of malarkey. Fortunately I tried it on a scrap piece before applying it to my project.

I generally just give the whole antiquing thing a miss, so I haven't even gotten far enough with it to get it all over the room. That sounds fun...

Is there an antiquing guide posted here anywhere?

[UKRay]

Is there an antiquing guide posted here anywhere?

Give this thread another couple of days, Schno, and you may be looking at it!

I really appreciate all the advice people. I've actually got some latex gloves but don't appear to have the intelligence to wear them when required... I promise to do better in future!

I am still not too sure how long to leave the stuff on the leather before trying to remove the surplus. What do you do?

From your comments I'm fairly sure one of my problems is not letting the stuff dry for long enough before trying to buff it off. Would you say that overnight is essential?

I haven't seen Hi Lite in the UK yet but I suspect it is available from the new Tandy shop. Are there any tricks to using it?

[Hilly]

Ray, get yourself a SHIRT. A really BIG shirt, and put it on backwards. Sort of like we did in kindergarten before we used the finger paints. Wear rubber or plastic GLOVES. In your case, try the ones they use at veterinary school - you know - the kind that goes all the way to your shoulder. TAPE the backs of your projects. Cover the dog table with newspaper. Lock the DOG out of the room. Put the GOOP on your project. Wrap a ruler with clean paper towels and sort of SQUEEGEE the excess OFF. BUFF with a soft cloth. WAIT till the next day and then SEAL with your favorite sealer.

Questions?