Simeon54 Report post Posted July 8, 2015 Hi all, I have a quick question about finishing leather. I am a bit confused by the plethora of products out there! I bought some Fiebings Bag Kote but I got the impression that this just coats the leather rather than nourishes it. So, I bought some Dubbin. On a finished piece, I ended up putting on the Bag Kote, and then liberal use of the Dubbin, before a quick polish with a rag. Do these 2 products work in tandem, or are they cancelling each other out? What do you guys use to feed a leather (hand dyed) and then give it a shine? Many thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Halitech Report post Posted July 8, 2015 Usually I dye the leather, give it a coat of neatsfoot oil or olive oil and let that dry. Then depending on what it is, either supersheen, resolene or tankote. If it's a belt, guitar strap or rifle sling, I'll do the backside with snoproof unless I'm lining it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Simeon54 Report post Posted July 8, 2015 Thanks for your information. I'm really new to working with leather, so still discovering lots! I think I'm going to just use the Dubbin for now. It seems to work well, and I doubt the Bag Kote adds anything. I was just reading up about Neatsfoot Oil as I see that the dye process on some skins toughens them up. Is Olive Oil an effective substitute? Also, when you say Snoproof on the back, is that the flesh side? What does it do, exactly? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Halitech Report post Posted July 8, 2015 Most dyes, regardless of if you use water based or alcohol based, all remove moisture from the leather. The neatsfoot or olive oil replaces that moisture. If you check history, the US calvary used olive oil for years on their saddles and tack so it must be good. And yes, I use it on the flesh side. It seals it and helps smooth the backside down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites