Natural Finish Without Dying

[Gilbert]

Hi, all.

I wanted to make natural finish just like the picture below. How do I do that?

I tried just put leather sheen or canaubar cream on natural leather, but it does not feel like what I wanted.

Could you guys give me some tips?

Thanks in advance!

[Bob Blea]

Hi Gilbert,

The piece in the picture looks like it has no finish at all but you can get close to that. If it were me I would apply a thin lacquer coat (Neat Lac / Wyosheen (what I use) / Clear Lac, all pretty much the same product) to seal it. It would protect the leather but leave it basically that same color. I would also oil it first with Neatsfoot oil but that will darken the leather slightly. This will work to get you a very natural finish but please note that over time exposure to sunlight and other bright light will cause veg tan leather to slowly darken.

You can probably get the same result using acrylic Resolene but it you put too much the leather will feel a bit plastic. However, Resolene does have some ability to block UV rays so it can better prevent the leather from darkening due to sunlight.

Hope this helps,

Bob

[Nuttish]

It's unfinished and you'll lose that distinctive matte finish and way the material ages if you put anything on it at all. The merit of unfinished pieces like that is that they will darken with use on their own and have a very personal character, like taking on crocked indigo from the back pocket of jeans or showing finger oil smudges from where they're regularly handled.