Leather paint?

[BJP]

I use Golden brand heavy body acrylic paints.    Thinned to the consistency of condensed milk.. I paint 3 coats leaving each coat to dry for a few hours or more.  Finish off with a good quality acrylic sealer.   

[Beret]

I use both Angelus and Eco-Flo paints, and then Liquitex acrylics as-needed. Multiple thin layers as others have said, just like painting canvas or any other application, but I also rarely use the color as-is. No trouble mixing colors between brands. All of the above are acrylics and can be thinned with just water. 

I prefer to finish with Saddle-Lac, but if especially you're using a brush-on top coat, you'll want to give yourself AT LEAST 48-72 hours of dry time before the topcoat. 

Edited February 22, 2017 by Beret

[BJP]

Thanks for the info!    Yes I brush on the top coat and really don't like using Resolene.    Cut 50/50 w water or even 60/40.     It can be hit n miss.  

Shud try something else.  Saddle lac does it need to be cut first?   Do you spray your top coats or brush.    Thx

[Beret]

9 hours ago, BJP said:

Thanks for the info!    Yes I brush on the top coat and really don't like using Resolene.    Cut 50/50 w water or even 60/40.     It can be hit n miss.  

Shud try something else.  Saddle lac does it need to be cut first?   Do you spray your top coats or brush.    Thx

I use aerosol saddle-lac sprayed as-is, in a number of VERY light mistings instead of one or two heavier coats. That way I can keep the finish more even and matte and extend the longevity of the topcoat.

I've found through experience that brushing on a resolene top coat really runs the risk of affecting my paint and antiquing, even after a lengthy and adequate dry time. I won't go that route anymore, even though I prefer the matte level of a resolene based finish. 

Edited February 23, 2017 by Beret

[BJP]

Beret... Do you use an air brush filled with saddle lac or does saddle lac come in a spray can type aerosol?  ... Thanks so much.  

[byggyns]

aerosol can of saddle lac:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Fiebings-Oz-Tandy-leather-Saddle-Lac/dp/B008IXN58U

 

[strathmoredesigns]

On 2/1/2017 at 3:37 PM, JerseyFirefighter said:

Angelus paint in multiple thinned coats. 

@byggyns what are you using to thin your Angelus paints? All of the larger sizes (above 1 oz) of their 2 thin product seem to be sold out and I'm wondering if there's another product I could use while waiting for 2 thin to come back in stock.

[Beret]

10 hours ago, strathmoredesigns said:

@byggyns what are you using to thin your Angelus paints? All of the larger sizes (above 1 oz) of their 2 thin product seem to be sold out and I'm wondering if there's another product I could use while waiting for 2 thin to come back in stock.

Angelus is an acrylic - You can just thin with water. 

[strathmoredesigns]

Thanks!

[byggyns]

I like to use distilled water for any thinning of water based paints & dyes. That way you always get a consistent result, regardless of what minerals and chemicals are in your tap water.

I'm a fountain pen collector & I always use distilled water for ink dilution and mixing. Some chemicals in the water can cause unintended chemical reactions with the ink, which can damage fountain pens. So, I apply the same principle to dyes and paints.