Natural Finish - Suggestions?

[BDAZ]

I have just finished a case and the customer wants the leather as light as possible. It's been wet formed and lightly oiled with neatsfoot and dried in the sun and has darkened just enough. I have a bunch of options but I want to get a natural sheen on the leather and tooling without darkening it or making it look tacky. Options are Resolene, Mop and Glo, Leather Sheen, Super Sheen and Atom Wax. I could also make a run to Tandy if anyone has a killer product they recommend.

I have to deliver the case tomorrow and if I can get the right finish, they will love it. I don't have time to experiment.

Thanks!

Bob

[Hi Im Joe]

I like Aussie. Gives some water resistance, great smell, shine and doesn't darken the item down very much.

[BDAZ]

Do they sell it at Tandy?? What's the full name?

Thanks!

Bob

[Hi Im Joe]

It's Fiebing's Aussie. Yes they sell it at Tandy.

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/department/liquids-n/conditioners-n/2199-00.aspx

They call it a conditioner but I use it as a finish.

[BDAZ]

Thanks! I was just about to edit my question because I found it at the Tandy web site. I did a search on the stuff and it sounds interesting. Could I apply it and then deliver the product a few hours later or does it need to settle in? It going over 100F tomorrow so that may help?

Thanks!

Bob

[Hi Im Joe]

The guys at my local Tandy who are super helpful and very very good leatherworkers (prob the only reason I still go there) tell me they use a hair dryer to heat up the item and then apply the aussie. They said it penetrates better that way.

Having done it both ways I tend to agree with them. But I would say you put it on and walk away for a bit. Then come back and buff it to a nice sheen.

[BDAZ]

No need for hair dryers here. Wet forming takes about 20 minuets to dry. I'll probably give it a shot. I'll bring it along. My guys are pretty knowledgeable too and more interested in the customer than the sale!

Cya!

Bob

[Hi Im Joe]

No need for hair dryers here. Wet forming takes about 20 minuets to dry. I'll probably give it a shot. I'll bring it along. My guys are pretty knowledgeable too and more interested in the customer than the sale!

Cya!

Bob

Yeah I guess really all you gotta do is set it out in the sun! LOL.

[BDAZ]

The black wet formed leather can get pretty hot! Helps set it up and hardens really well.

Cya!

Bob

[BDAZ]

No time to get to Tandy so I used Super Sheen and it did a good job. A bit too shiney for my taste but I am sue the customer will be happy. Thanks for the input. BTW I was wet forming a black case in the sun and measured the surface temperature...145F

Cya!

Bob

[Hi Im Joe]

No time to get to Tandy so I used Super Sheen and it did a good job. A bit too shiney for my taste but I am sue the customer will be happy. Thanks for the input. BTW I was wet forming a black case in the sun and measured the surface temperature...145F

Cya!

Bob

I'm in Cincinnati and it is really hot today. I doubt it's that hot though!

[DavidL]

can aussie or beeswax w/ neatsfoot be a substitute for resolene?

To lock in dye like resolene?

[Hi Im Joe]

can aussie or beeswax w/ neatsfoot be a substitute for resolene?

To lock in dye like resolene?

I've never had any problems with dye bleeding when I used aussie.

[BDAZ]

I picked up some Aussie at Tandy this morning. I first asked what they recommend for a natural finish and Aussie was unanimous. I picked up a can and used it on a prototype I am working on. It's baking in the sun but at first glance looks great!

Thanks for the tip.

Cya!

Bob

[Hi Im Joe]

I picked up some Aussie at Tandy this morning. I first asked what they recommend for a natural finish and Aussie was unanimous. I picked up a can and used it on a prototype I am working on. It's baking in the sun but at first glance looks great!

Thanks for the tip.

Cya!

Bob

Awesome! Yeah I really like it a lot! It has that great smell that you want with leather goods.