Finishing Veg Tan Leather

[Reindeer]

What is the easiest way to finish a tooled piece of veg tanned leather, like for example a belt?

Not talking about the edges, I think I understand that already.

I mean, the dying/coloring/conditioning/sealing part.

I have seen several explanations written out but they all kinda confuse me. I would just like the simplest way to do it.

I am not interested in acrylic paints.

What I want is a very natural look, just want to darken the leather and maybe have a very mild sheen to it.

So how do I do that, and also protect it from warping and the elements and stuff like that? and do it in the most simple and inexpensive way?

[MonicaJacobson]

Oh dear, there are so many options.

You could darken it in the sun, and apply diluted (50% with water) resolene... or mop-n-glow. I've never used the mop-n-glow, but a lot of people say it's like resolene. Just a few light coats with 12 hour periods inbetween.

Or you could buy a light brown dye, and seal that with supersheen, saddle lac, resolene, or mop-n-glow.

If you want a more matte look, Aussie Leather Conditioner is nice. It doesn't protect it as much and requires more upkeep, but it feels really nice and less plastic-y.

[Reindeer]

Oh dear, there are so many options.

You could darken it in the sun, and apply diluted (50% with water) resolene... or mop-n-glow. I've never used the mop-n-glow, but a lot of people say it's like resolene. Just a few light coats with 12 hour periods inbetween.

Or you could buy a light brown dye, and seal that with supersheen, saddle lac, resolene, or mop-n-glow.

Thanks. What is the difference between a dye and a stain, by the way, are they the same thing?

If you want a more matte look, Aussie Leather Conditioner is nice. It doesn't protect it as much and requires more upkeep, but it feels really nice and less plastic-y.

What about Lexol leather conditioner?

Thanks for your reply.

[MonicaJacobson]

Stain usually refers to something you'd use on wood, and depending on the marketing, is either a dye or else a dye suspended in a finishing agent. Or even just paint.

Dye is spirit based (at least, the better ones like fiebings), and offers absolutely no protection. Now antiquing is a little different. The antiquing I have is water based, but I haven't looked into it much and don't know if other brands are spirit based.

People use antiquing to darken the leather. But you also have to seal after you use the antiquing.

I think Lexol works okay on furniture (I have some myself), but for a real conditioner on a leather belt, it's better to use neatsfoot or Aussie. I don't think Lexol offers much, if any, protection.

[Windrider30]

Well if you want to go for the natural but a little darker color for the belt what I do is put a little super shen on the belt (leaving the belt natural) normally just a coat maybe two max, then I use the aussie conditioner on it. Now I have found that the aussie conditioner will actually darken the color of the leather just a little bit which I do like a lot. But as Monica says you do need to do a bit more upkeep on the aussie condisinter, now I have heard that you can use something called corbasol not even sure if that is how you spell it but its basically a top coat but it will darken any stains or dyes you use by almost one color or so I have heard never used the stuff myself.

[Reindeer]

Stain usually refers to something you'd use on wood, and depending on the marketing, is either a dye or else a dye suspended in a finishing agent. Or even just paint.

Dye is spirit based (at least, the better ones like fiebings), and offers absolutely no protection. Now antiquing is a little different. The antiquing I have is water based, but I haven't looked into it much and don't know if other brands are spirit based.

People use antiquing to darken the leather. But you also have to seal after you use the antiquing.

I think Lexol works okay on furniture (I have some myself), but for a real conditioner on a leather belt, it's better to use neatsfoot or Aussie. I don't think Lexol offers much, if any, protection.

Ok thanks. Makes sense.

However, what is the purpose of using Aussie (or any brand) conditioner, if it offers no protection? What does it do exactly? I know "conditioner" should speak for itself...but...I actually don't know what it means.

[Reindeer]

Well if you want to go for the natural but a little darker color for the belt what I do is put a little super shen on the belt (leaving the belt natural) normally just a coat maybe two max, then I use the aussie conditioner on it. Now I have found that the aussie conditioner will actually darken the color of the leather just a little bit which I do like a lot. But as Monica says you do need to do a bit more upkeep on the aussie condisinter, now I have heard that you can use something called corbasol not even sure if that is how you spell it but its basically a top coat but it will darken any stains or dyes you use by almost one color or so I have heard never used the stuff myself.

Ok thanks. It seems that conditioner is only recommended for pieces that aren't dyed, is that correct? Can you use conditioner on a dyed project, or will it make the dye get runny or something?

[MonicaJacobson]

I think if you dye something you want to seal it to keep the dye from running. So yes, you're correct. If it's not dyed, you can do what you want. You could leave it unprotected entirely. It wouldn't like it much, but you could. The aussie has beeswax in it, so it's a light protection.

[thekid77]

If you are willing to take 40 minutes and watch this video, I think it will help you make a decision regarding the commonly used finished out on the market today....after watching it, I have used acrylic resolene diluted 50% with water and haven't looked back....I used it whether I am dyeing my projects or just leaving them natural....hope it helps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyTg_hfpNUM

[Reindeer]

If you are willing to take 40 minutes and watch this video, I think it will help you make a decision regarding the commonly used finished out on the market today....after watching it, I have used acrylic resolene diluted 50% with water and haven't looked back....I used it whether I am dyeing my projects or just leaving them natural....hope it helps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyTg_hfpNUM

Cool thanks.