Veg-Tan Finishing

[raysouth]

Okay, I should know the answer to my question but it must have slipped the memory bank at some time. Like a computer crash, of sorts.

Have never finished veg-tan in such a way as to leave a natural appearance. Always dye applications were the norm. Now, I am faced with learning what would be the best way to finish veg-tan, retaining a natural appearance.

Have read that resolene, neats foot oil, olive oil, tan-cote, etc; all were good products. Here is my dilemma; the items I am making will be, in contact with hands and clothing all the time they are used so need to know the best product/s to use that would be permanent, somewhat protective, and not transfer to clothing/hands.

Any suggestions will be appreciated and willing to test/try any ideas you may have.

I have more than 200 smalls to do and hope the answers will provide the results I seek.

God Bless.

Ray

[Troy I]

When I want a natural appearance I finish the leather with a couple coats of neets foot oil, topped off with Montana Pitch Blend.

This combination will darken the leather a little, but I think it looks good.

[25b]

What are you making?

[Troy I]

25b...if this question is for me...I make holsters and rifle slings, mostly but have made key rings, Leatherman holder,knife sheaths,cell phone cases and the list go's on...the only item I have left natural is a rifle sling at the buyer's request....when I make an item, most of the time I make two...One for the customer (customer always has their choice as to which one they want) and one to sell retail. Here is a link to the one I'm referring to

http:// pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=171546190781&alt=web

If the question is for Ray...sorry I rambled on and hijacked the topic.

:-)

Troy

Edited November 21, 2014 by Troy I

[25b]

I was asking the OP but thanks for your reply.

[MonicaJacobson]

I just ran into the same question. I was making a purse that I wanted to leave natural veg tan, but I didn't really want to make it stiffer with resolene. Maybe I should have..... What I did, and I hope it was right, was clean it with saddle soap, apply a coat of neatsfoot oil to the front and the back (on different days), and then I applied about three coats of Aussie leather conditioner. It has some wax in it. Between each coat, I heated it up with a blow dryer so the leather would absorb it, and buffed it out. It leaves a nice glow, but it's not plasticized like resolene. However, I dare say resolene would be a sturdier finish.

[NVLeatherWorx]

My method of leaving a natural finish has been the same since I started this trade over 40 years ago (and it was the taught method back then). Make sure the leather is clean and dry; don't use saddle soap as it tends to leave residue and is only intended for use on heavily soiled leather (read the directions for use carefully). I give it an Oxalic Acid treatment and then let it dry completely; once dry I apply Pure Neatsfoot Oil to the grain side of the leather and allow it to set for 24 hours; once the first application has set I give it another application and let it set for 24 hours. The final step of the process is to give the leather a series of light coatings of Clear Lac Leather Finish from LCI. The Clear Lac finish gives the leather a nice solid protection without making the leather stiff and it also includes some conditioning agents that help with the Neatsfoot Oil.

The trick is to not over apply the oil as it will darken the leather if too heavy; the Neat Lac won't darken the leather at all. The use of Olive Oil has often been recommended but it darkens the leather drastically and it does not allow for a return to the natural look; it stays dark and very dark.

My philosophy is now, and always has been, if it ain't broke, don't fix it; and I figure that since this is the way we were taught back in the day and the resources are still available today, why change it?

We all have different sources of information or our own view on what the best process is so this is just another one of those "this is how I do it", if you have a method that works for you then stick with with it.

[Chief31794]

My method of leaving a natural finish has been the same since I started this trade over 40 years ago (and it was the taught method back then). Make sure the leather is clean and dry; don't use saddle soap as it tends to leave residue and is only intended for use on heavily soiled leather (read the directions for use carefully). I give it an Oxalic Acid treatment and then let it dry completely; once dry I apply Pure Neatsfoot Oil to the grain side of the leather and allow it to set for 24 hours; once the first application has set I give it another application and let it set for 24 hours. The final step of the process is to give the leather a series of light coatings of Clear Lac Leather Finish from LCI. The Clear Lac finish gives the leather a nice solid protection without making the leather stiff and it also includes some conditioning agents that help with the Neatsfoot Oil.

The trick is to not over apply the oil as it will darken the leather if too heavy; the Neat Lac won't darken the leather at all. The use of Olive Oil has often been recommended but it darkens the leather drastically and it does not allow for a return to the natural look; it stays dark and very dark.

My philosophy is now, and always has been, if it ain't broke, don't fix it; and I figure that since this is the way we were taught back in the day and the resources are still available today, why change it?

We all have different sources of information or our own view on what the best process is so this is just another one of those "this is how I do it", if you have a method that works for you then stick with with it.

Ditto, that's exactly how I do it, clean, oil, then clear lac, used to use Neat Lac, but that's been replaced, Clear lac is the same thing. I use it on almost everything.

Chief

[Dwight]

As a suggestion, . . . taking nothing away from time tested answers, . . . I would prefer a 50/50 blend of beeswax and neetsfoot oil.

I have used it on a number of applications (it is also an "old timey" finish) and it has provided all the things the OP asked for.

May God bless,

Dwight

[raysouth]

Thank you for the information. I was apprehensive about use of oil applications as the items will be next to clothing and handled quite often. I will try all of the above and then will have to make a decision.

I have a myriad of polishes, creams, etc; but did not feel that as a finish product without dye, that application would not be what I was seeking.

Have also considered Angelus Neutral dye but no idea what that would do for me and then would require some form of protective coating. I feel that this will be a new and pleasant experience for me and do appreciate the assistance.

God Bless.

Ray

[Troy I]

Good luck Ray...let us know how it works out

[25b]

as the items will be next to clothing and handled quite often.

What items are you making?? Edited November 22, 2014 by 25b

[raysouth]

Thank you, everybody for the great input.

I actually mixed a dye combination of Angelus Honey and Neutral and ended up just a shade darker than natural and on some of the pieces it was not apparent that dye had been applied.

Used Angelus leather paints on parts of several items and now must figure out what to do to finish without harming or drastically darkening the leather. Then hope to burnish edges with the Cobra Burnisher received a few days ago. Sure that some of the fine machines that were fabricated by members would function equally as well, but I was not in a position to make something. Have played with this one a bit and really is a time saver and much easier on these old hands. Everything is a pleasure to do but some things just seem to have become more difficult lately. Think age might play a part here? lol.

In addition, has anyone tried the new pro line of edgers that Tandy is offering. They seem to be well made and do a wonderful job on the simple projects I make.

At times, I think I have an excess of finishing agents and now must look back to my test info so as to find something that will work. Get to do more testing, I hope.

Away from this topic a bit, I was surprised at the lack response to my offer of free collectibles. I will allow to run until next week to see if anyone is interested that requires postage payment only. Check the last entry I made under leatherwork conversation, then what do you collect to find the information.

God Bless all of you, and stay safe and be excited about the wonderful holidays ahead.

Ray

[MonicaJacobson]

Ray, I told my husband about it, and I'm very intrigued by the idea. I'll get back to you after I've bought my whole family presents, and see if I have any money left for postage.

[snubbyfan]

This was finished with Tan Kote, I'm quite satisfied with it.

[raysouth]

Hey Snubbyfan,

Holster looks great. Finish is very nice. Got out a bottle of tan-cote today and will be applying tomorrow if able to get to the shop. Thank you for responding.

God Bless.

Ray