Horsecccrazy975 Report post Posted February 10, 2014 So I'm new to leather and my mom got me some spur straps to tool for Christmas. I drew a design and got everything all ready to start tooling and they won't absorb water! It's like they have a finish on them already. I'm really disappointed! Is there any way I could do something so I can tool them? Thanks so much in advance! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
camano ridge Report post Posted February 10, 2014 Is it possible that she bought finished spur straps. If so they are going to be dificult to do. Get some deglazer and remove any finish. Then try casing and tooling them. Can you post a picture of them? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horsecccrazy975 Report post Posted February 10, 2014 I think they do have some on them. The lady who helped her said they work for tooling, but who knows! I think the picture didn't load in the last post. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
camano ridge Report post Posted February 10, 2014 The edges look like they have been burnished a bit and there is a bit of a shine. My guess is there ia a finish of some sort on them. I would try deglazing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horsecccrazy975 Report post Posted February 10, 2014 Someone told me acetone works as a deglazer. How would you go about deglazing? Thanks for the help! I really appreciate it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Blea Report post Posted February 10, 2014 Acetone probably would work but it's pretty harsh. I would try denatured alcohol, I've had luck with that. You will probably want to add some neatsfoot oil to the leather afterward because either one will dry the leather out. Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
