Tips For Hand Burnishing Chromexcel

[superpacker]

After working with veg tan, I am going to try horween chromexcel. From what I've heard, burnishing this stuff can be difficult. So, any tips and tricks up front what be appreciated!

[LTC]

i'd like info on this also please.

[Sturme]

you might try this on a practice piece first, but you could try dying the edge, burnish it lightly, and maybe seal it with something like mod podge with a q tip, seen it done on a you tube video, and the edge looked nice.

[johnv474]

It's difficult to burnish Chromexcel because it is combination-tanned, so it goes through both chrome tanning and also vegetable tanning. That helps it have traits of both... however it becomes softer/floppier than veg-tan so does not burnish easily. If you can clamp the pieces together near the edge you may be able to hold it steady enough to get some effect. I usually just just use some gum trag and maybe a little beeswax, but my result is velvety smooth, not glossy slick. It may be simpler to do what many do and simply dye the edges.

Edited April 22, 2014 by johnv474

[arocco]

My method to burnish chromexcel is to sand the edge smooth (150, 200, then 300 grit).

Then I dye the edges (if your dying the pieces). I use water based aniline dye.

Once that is dry I wet the edges and then hit it with canvas covered in beeswax. Hard and fast. Dremel tool may make this faster, but I haven't tried yet. When done, the edges will feel velvet smooth at this point.

Then I hit with gum tragancanth and wood burnisher. Getting close to silky smooth at this point.

Then I take a wood burner and quickly rub it down the edges, using the heat to kinda "seal" them. It also helps hold the fibers together.

Then I apply Finice Edge Gloss. Usually three very thin coats.

I prefer this method as there is no paint to flake or rub off. I use this method of my belts and straps and wallets, works very well but is a lot of work. Chromexcel is not an easy leather to work with but the finished product comes out very nice indeed.

Edited April 27, 2014 by arocco

[LTC]

thank you very much for the detailed answer! very helpful and i will try to give it a shot and see how it comes out.

thanks again!

[Nuttish]

My method to burnish chromexcel is to sand the edge smooth (150, 200, then 300 grit).

Then I dye the edges (if your dying the pieces). I use water based aniline dye.

Once that is dry I wet the edges and then hit it with canvas covered in beeswax. Hard and fast. Dremel tool may make this faster, but I haven't tried yet. When done, the edges will feel velvet smooth at this point.

Then I hit with gum tragancanth and wood burnisher. Getting close to silky smooth at this point.

Then I take a wood burner and quickly rub it down the edges, using the heat to kinda "seal" them. It also helps hold the fibers together.

Then I apply Finice Edge Gloss. Usually three very thin coats.

I prefer this method as there is no paint to flake or rub off. I use this method of my belts and straps and wallets, works very well but is a lot of work. Chromexcel is not an easy leather to work with but the finished product comes out very nice indeed.

Mind posting a pic of your results? Intriguing.