PhilipHN Report post Posted November 10, 2017 Hello Everyone Yes, the 'u' in 'colour' is a give-away, I'm from over the pond... I am growing a little obsession about the colour fastness of leather finishes, and I'd very much like to know what other people's experiences have been. A while back I moved from making knife sheaths to making belts, and then bags. What I discovered was that the way I treated my sheaths (which I was dyeing myself) seriously did not translate across to anything that was going to have significant contact - particularly moving contact - with clothing. For example I discovered the hard way that neatsfoot oil never really dries and is excellent at transferring previously dry dye to whatever rubs against the surface of the leather. My wife's cream jacket looked like she'd been working on the car... I know that Resolene (and no doubt other products also) does provide a colourfast seal, but I don't like the high gloss finish, and nor do I like that it effectively encases the leather in plastic, preventing it from breathing and ultimately drying out the fibres. I've been given instructions on how best to dye and finish leather (dye, wait 24 hours; dye again, wait another 24 hours; apply carnauba, wait 24 hours; re-apply carnauba, wait another 24 hours; buff very vigorously and finish with saddle soap - yes, that's basically a five day process) but even following that procedure and leaving my leather for a few days more, I can still lift colour with a cloth. The most straightforward answer (I guess) is to buy professionally finished leather, but I wonder what other's experiences have been. Or am I missing something?! Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djmc5678 Report post Posted November 19, 2017 I am curious about this too. I tried dyeing, then neatfooting, then resolene. It just does seem too oily and hasn't completely dried. Is it possible to just skip the neatsfoot? I am actually interested in making it really glossy so I'll give the saddlesoap a go. Hoping someone with experience will answer this. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mattsbagger Report post Posted November 19, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, djmc5678 said: I am curious about this too. I tried dyeing, then neatfooting, then resolene. It just does seem too oily and hasn't completely dried. Is it possible to just skip the neatsfoot? I am actually interested in making it really glossy so I'll give the saddlesoap a go. Hoping someone with experience will answer this. If you want gloss go with neatlac or saddle lac.And less is more with neetsfoot oil. It takes verry little to do a lot. Edited November 19, 2017 by Mattsbagger Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djmc5678 Report post Posted November 19, 2017 2 hours ago, Mattsbagger said: If you want gloss go with neatlac or saddle lac.And less is more with neetsfoot oil. It takes verry little to do a lot. Thank you. I'm in Japan but will see if I can find something comparable here. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
