Members Agamemnom Posted May 10, 2015 Members Report Posted May 10, 2015 Hi guys, I am just finishing making a suede maincure set out of suede leather, where I glued two layers of suede together and I was wondering what is the best way to finish off the edges so that they look nice. I know that you can burnish veg tanned leather, but I'm not sure if you can do it with suede, I have given it a go with some water but the results aren't much different from before. If it is possible to burnish suede edges can it be done with beeswax? Cheers Quote
Thor Posted May 10, 2015 Report Posted May 10, 2015 As far as I know, there's nothing that would make it as close as what you'd expect from veg tan leather. What they do with suede shoes is using bees wax along with polishing paste. I'd be hesitant and try it on scrap first. Quote
Members Agamemnom Posted May 10, 2015 Author Members Report Posted May 10, 2015 I will definitely try it on a piece of scrap first, which I have already done with some beeswax and it produced a shiny-ish edge, by polishing paste I'm assuming you don't mean shoe polish? Quote
Thor Posted May 10, 2015 Report Posted May 10, 2015 That's what others have been referring to. I've never done it myself. I usually want to roughing it up when working on a saddle, so vise versa. Quote
Members Agamemnom Posted May 10, 2015 Author Members Report Posted May 10, 2015 (edited) My initial trials with a beeswax-boot polish-water mixture has proved no move successful than just beeswax, if anyone has other suggestions please let me know Edited May 10, 2015 by Agamemnom Quote
Contributing Member TwinOaks Posted May 10, 2015 Contributing Member Report Posted May 10, 2015 It will depend on the tannage of the suede. If it's actual "suede", which is chrome tanned, then no, it won't slick up like vegtan leather. If it's a brushed vegtan split, then you should be able to shave it to smooth, and burnish. Quote Mike DeLoach Esse Quam Videri (Be rather than Seem) "Don't learn the tricks of the trade.....Learn the trade." "Teach what you know......Learn what you don't." LEATHER ARTISAN'S DIGITAL GUILD on Facebook.
Members TexasLady Posted May 10, 2015 Members Report Posted May 10, 2015 (edited) This is probably sacrilage here on our leatherworkers site, but...(on a scrap first) you might try painting the edge with a polymer acrylic, like Liquitex from a hobby store. If you want the edge dark, there are permanent markers (other than just black) that you could carefully touch it up with, and then after the marker dries, the polymer acrylic would be applied. The polymers come in several 'finishes', from high gloss to matt, and there's probably more than one viscosity. But high gloss might not be the best choice in this case, being as the suede is inherently a little rough. You'll be able to smooth it with your finger before it dries. http://www.dickblick.com/products/liquitex-acrylic-polymer-varnishes/ http://www.dickblick.com/products/bic-mark-it-color-collection-permanent-markers/#photos Edited May 10, 2015 by TexasLady Quote
Members wlg190861 Posted May 10, 2015 Members Report Posted May 10, 2015 No, suede dose not burnish. The best way to achieve a nice edge with suede is to hem the edges prior to sewing/gluing. Quote
Thor Posted May 10, 2015 Report Posted May 10, 2015 If that works, please post the result here. Quote
Members TexasLady Posted May 10, 2015 Members Report Posted May 10, 2015 (edited) No, suede dose not burnish. The best way to achieve a nice edge with suede is to hem the edges prior to sewing/gluing. What 'he' said! Plus 'woulda, shoulda, coulda'. I've also seen suede with 'piping'. Here's a short video on sewing piping, but working with fabric in this video. Edited May 10, 2015 by TexasLady Quote
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