LLWork Report post Posted July 17, 2015 (edited) So I've been making half-masks for a little while now, and for the most part they've all ended up with a moisture resistant foam lining. I just prototyped a new mask out that I'm planning on using only enough to cradle the nose. This means that a lot of the raw leather will likely be in contact with the wearers face, and likely some resulting sweat. Should I seal the raw side of the leather if this is going to be the case? If so, what should I use to seal it? Thanks in advance for any consideration. You guys rock. Edited July 17, 2015 by LLWork Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Report post Posted July 17, 2015 People nowadays can be allergic to damned near anything (including themselves, aka autoimmune). It is just going to happen. Sometimes it IS leather, sometimes vinyl, sometimes latex, it just could be anything. The best thing to do is not worry about it, but try everything yourself to see if something might be a problem for more than a small percentage of the population. Almost all of our items touch the body, and most times in stressful circumstances. A lot of our stuff is doubled and stitched with a chrome and sometimes veg tanned lining, might even be kangaroo, or goat, or calf. Our blindfolds are up around sensitive areas of the face and eyes, and are often 2 or 3 oz material in several configurations included padded doubled and stitched. We don't use any finish on the inside and maybe Pecard's or Montana Pitchblend on the outside. If really concerned, try something and wear it yourself to see the effect. The three products I would try would be Bag-Kote, Pecard's, and Montana Pitchblend. These are the ones I have experience with and personally don't have any reactions to. You could go the route of sealing the leather with one of the lacquer type finishes, Saddle Lac, Wyo Sheen, and others can accomplish that. A lot of things are just plain experimentation. Let us know how it goes. Art Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LLWork Report post Posted July 17, 2015 I wasn't too concerned that sealing it up would cause any reactions, like you said if it's going to happen it is going to happen. I was more worried that if sweat is making contact to the raw side of the leather that it might end up effecting the shape of the piece. My masks are made primarily for motorcycle riders, so it will be common to be out in the heat and sun. But I will look into those products, thanks for the tip! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Report post Posted July 17, 2015 I don't know if you ride, but air circulates all the time, and would cause evaporation even in a humid environment. I use Pecard's on seats which get sweat wet to some degree, but here again, if riding, air will circulate, and the Pecard's protects to a great degree. I don't put Pecard's on the flesh side, if the seat does get really wet, I want to let the water out, not keep it in. The products I recommended let the leather breathe, the lacquers don't. Art Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
