Finish Sequence / Products

[MStarmer]

Ok I'm pretty new here and I have read until my eyes bleed... well almost anyway.

Finishing sequence and products? It seems that everyone has a favorite and maybe it doesn't matter. I'm building holsters so I'm looking for a durable but not glossy finish. I just got some of these products and want to make sure I'm doing them in the correct order.

Right now I cut stitch and mold, then;

Dye with Fiebing's Pro oil, let dry 24hrs (ish)

Light coat of pure neatsfoot oil, let dry 24hrs

Resolene (50/50 water) with a sponge, let dry 24hrs

Bag Kote

I've been reading some people are applying neatsfoot oil after finishing? I think I'm ok, dye, oil, seal, then final finish...

Thanks,

Michael

[Cyberthrasher]

I've been reading some people are applying neatsfoot oil after finishing? I think I'm ok, dye, oil, seal, then final finish...

Thanks,

Michael

There's really no need if you've already oiled after dying. The oil replenishes the natural oils that are sucked out by the alcohol in the dye. I do put a conditioner on top of my finish, but it's mostly as a wax coating and not as much for the oil aspect of it. Now, when my customers condition in the future, they'll be applying it for the purpose of oiling the leather (thereby conditioning it).

[Dwight]

Uhhh, . . . Resolene is a FINAL finish, . . . as well is BAG KOTE.

I'd do an either/or, . . . but not both.

And remember, . . . anything you do after Resolene or Bag Kote (if it is done completely and correctly) will largely be wasted if it is anything more than some kind of wax / polish / shine enhancer.

May God bless,

Dwight

[MStarmer]

No I don't oil after finishing, I just noticed some people saying they did and I thought that was kind of odd.

I was following Lobo's pancake tutorial and it mentions sealing with an acrylic (Resolene) and then final finishing (Bag Kote). So it's either but not both?

Any benefits to one or the other?

Sorry for the questions but so far I have Resolene, Bag Kote and Leather Sheen and I think I'm over-complicating as to what I should be using...

Thanks for the info and patience to us new guys! So many ways people do things, making the holster is starting to seem like the easy part.

[Cyberthrasher]

Uhhh, . . . Resolene is a FINAL finish, . . . as well is BAG KOTE.

Missed that Bag Kote part yesterday......

I haven't used Bag Kote, so I'm not real familiar with it's plus/minus in comparison to Resolene - but Resolene is great all around. You'll need to figure out which one works best for you, but just choose one.

When oiling a finished piece (with Resolene on it, or other sealant), the oils WILL soak through if allowed to sit long enough. I use Montana Pitch Blend as a conditioner/wax. When allowed to sit overnight, the oils in it will mostly penetrate the Resolene and the wax remains on top ready for a buffing.