Fenice Edge Paint Peeling Off

[mrtreat32]

Just recently started using fenice edge paint (tandy pro) and I have been super happy with the results. My edges are looking much smoother but there is one big catch. I have been carrying a few of my recent wallet prototypes that I used the Fenice paint on and 2 of them have areas with the edge peeling off (mostly on areas where the leather bends). I was wondering if anyone who uses this paint has any tips to make this edge paint last.

The areas where it peeled off are completely natural color underneath. This paint looks great but doesnt seem to penetrate into the leather at all. Seems to sit completely on top.

I just took some edge kote and the fenice and painted the edges of some scrap leather to compare how they dry and if they both peel off in the same way. I preferred the fenice results aesthetically in the beginning but Im under the impression that the edge kote actually dyes and penetrates the leather while the fenice just sits on top.

Looking forward to any tips or hearing from others with more experience using edge finishes.

thanks

[Hi Im Joe]

I actually bought the neutral colored fenice paint and mixed in black edge kote (b/c I wanted it to be black in color). It turned out that the combination of both of them worked better than either one by itself.

[mrtreat32]

I actually bought the neutral colored fenice paint and mixed in black edge kote (b/c I wanted it to be black in color). It turned out that the combination of both of them worked better than either one by itself.

I was actually considering doing a coat of the Edge Kote that way the leather is dyed and than going over it with the Fenice. That way if it peels off at least it will still be painted underneath. Maybe a similar result to what you got by mixing them.

[DoubleC]

I think the clue is in the names.....'kote.' I have heard of many people having problems with these products because the sit on the edge. A dye would work better. Cheryl

[MonicaJacobson]

I bought the neutral edge paint as well, and I plan to use dye underneath it. But I haven't really decided which projects need gum trag and which projects need edge paint. Or if you do gum trag, then edge paint. Gah. Or if you resign yourself to a lot of sanding. It does seem as if the fenice edge paint needs a lot of sanding.

[CustomDoug]

I was just thinking about ordering some Fenice edge paint.. but this has me reconsidering. Has anyone else had a problem with it peeling off? I was not planning to use dye under it, just a good sanding and a heated iron to set it, done twice.

Doug C

[MonicaJacobson]

In my very limited experience (I have some, but haven't put in the sanding time to get it perfect yet, since I've been using a lot of veg tanned lately), it penetrates so well that I can't see how it could peal off. That would indicate that it didn't penetrate at all, but sat on top of the edge. Whenever I've used it, it sinks in, and dries to a very hard edge, a bit like burned string. Not at all smooth. Then you have to sand it, put it on, let it dry, and sand it again. After that, I think you can put on one last coat, rub it, and get it smooth.

I don't have a heated iron, so I think I'm having more trouble getting it smooth quickly.

I noticed it does get gummy and uncooperative if you try to do anything with it before it dries.... I can imagine it would peel off in that scenario.

I plan to use it on a veg tanned and a chrome tanned strap on some personal bags I use, and see how it lasts with some heavy use.

[mrtreat32]

I was just thinking about ordering some Fenice edge paint.. but this has me reconsidering. Has anyone else had a problem with it peeling off? I was not planning to use dye under it, just a good sanding and a heated iron to set it, done twice.

Doug C

Im not saying its bad edge paint by any means. I really like the results as far as looks are concerned but I have had trouble with it peeling off so far. It is a very popular paint and has a good reputation so there is probably a trick to working with it more effectively.

I am experimenting on a piece of scrap leather at the moment and trying thinner coats. After I let that dry completely I tried peeling it off and it seemed to be a lot more permanent and harder to remove that way. I scraped it with my finger nail to see how it would hold over time if someone was using it as a wallet for example where the friction of removing it from a denim pocket might wear it down. Before I was applying it pretty thick and that seemed to make it softer and more susceptible to wearing off.

Im not saying what Monica said is not true but from what I have gathered so far it does not penetrate the leather at all. Maybe her method includes burning it on or some other process that Im not aware of. I have tried it on a few types of leather and after drying if you peel it off the color of the leather is completely untouched by the paint from what I see. Even on lighter color leathers such as a natural veg tan when removed the leather underneath looks completely fine afterwards and barely stains the leather at all..which could be a good thing as well if you made a mistake and needed to remove it? She said she is using a neutral color also so maybe its a different formula?

[mrtreat32]

I forgot to mention that the scrap piece where I am testing it with better results I did not slick the edge. On actual projects I am using saddle soap, water, and a bit of quick slick from Sheridan before applying the paint. I wipe that down before applying the paint but maybe that application is preventing the paint from adhering as well as I would like.

Angelus leather paints and others I have used haven't been a problem applying after that process.

[MonicaJacobson]

I forgot to mention that the scrap piece where I am testing it with better results I did not slick the edge. On actual projects I am using saddle soap, water, and a bit of quick slick from Sheridan before applying the paint. I wipe that down before applying the paint but maybe that application is preventing the paint from adhering as well as I would like.

Angelus leather paints and others I have used haven't been a problem applying after that process.

I honestly haven't given it an honest enough try to be definitive. I could certainly be wrong. However, what you said might make sense - I found that when I used gum trag and slicked the edge first, the fenice on top made a gummy mess that didn't work at all. I was more successful when I put it on a completely raw edge, let it dry, and sanded (and then repeated two or three times). I'll experiment with it more in the next day or so.

So far, I haven't bothered to use it on veg tan because gum trag and burnishing works so well.