Has Anyone Ever Used Dubbin To Seal?

[Twisted 66]

I finished my fender bib and dyed it, tooled it etc and finished it with resolene..but I'm looking for something a little more weather proof but at the same time hoping to get more of a gloss. right now it's a matte finish look so I was looking around the house before I went and ordered anything and saw I had a can of Dubbin..has anyone used this as a finish after using resolene? anything I should be weary of? I realize it's maybe a little greasy but realistically if I only use a little and it's not really being touched or sat on at all..?? any thoughts or input ? appreciate it in advance thanks

[camano ridge]

True Dubbin has been around since midevil times. It is a mixture of oils waxes etc. The problem is that Dubbin is rubbed onto and absorbed into the leather. It will condition and help make the make the Leather more water resistant. However it also softens the leather. It works well for waterproofing and softening boots. THe problem you might run into is that since you have already put on the resolene you may not be able to get the dubbin to absorb into the leather aswell. Although the can may say wax you will find it does not buff up to the extent that a shoe polish will.

[Gump]

I used Dubbin on leather boots for years, until I found liquid silicone boot saver. It will darken the leather and collect dirt as it stays gummy/sticky. It eventually will cause boots to rot because it seals the leather and doesn't allow it to breathe. In hot weather it will bleed as the waxes soften and melt slightly. Not a good finishing product,imho. Gump

[Matt S]

Dubbin is a conditioner (with some water repellent qualities) rather than a finish; as Gump says it never truly dries. That is what makes it a good conditioner. Many people will tell you that it will 'rot' leather or stitching long term but I disagree on the condition that the dubbin doesn't contain any petroleum products (many shop bought ones do). What it can do is hold grit against and between the fibres of your leather and stitching, which over time may wear them out faster.

[Twisted 66]

Huge thanks for all the input.. Safe to say I won't be using the dubbin. Have some clear shoe polish I'm gonna give a try... Much appreciated for all the replies!

[Mudruck]

Twisted,

That is pretty much how I finish my bibs. Res to seal and then a few light coats of neutral shoe polish and give it a good buffing to shine it up, if that is the finish I am looking for. Some styles just seem to look better in the matte finish though. There are also finishes such as the super shine type finishes, but I have found that they don't stay all that shiny for more then a year or so on bibs exposed to the elements. With my bibs, I include instructions for the end user to hit it with the neutral shoe polish once in a while to help keep the shine up and protect it from the elements.

Edited March 21, 2014 by Mudruck

[Toolingaround]

Hi there

If your ittem is not going to be severely flexed, saddle lac sprayed on a piece of sheep wool first and rubbed on in one or two coats (so as not to get it too thick) is very very water repellant and shiny. I have never made motorcycle gear though.

WARNING!!!

Yikes I should not reply to posts when I have a migraine! Resolene and saddle lac may not play nice together as the alcohol in saddle lac can dissolve acrylics like resolene. It will remove acrylic paint for sure. Weirdly enough I use saddle lac over leather sheen all the time. It is my favorite finish and even though leather sheen is acrylic I have no problem. Any how always always test on scrap and sorry for my bad advice :-(

Cheers, Toolingaround

Edited March 26, 2014 by Toolingaround

[Tshepiso]

2 years later, I find myself in a tight corner,

I bought myself some dubbin,

I used it on my leather shoe think it will act as waterproof and I will still retain the shine *very silly I know*

Now my shoe is dull no shine what so ever, what can I use to remove the dubbin?

Thanks