Best Finish for Belts

[steelhawk]

I have been using Resolene, cut 50% on my double layer and other belts, done after neatsfoot oil has dried.  I'm wondering if there is a better alternative.

[cradom]

I use Mop&Glo cut 50/50 with water, then neutral shoe polish.

[bikermutt07]

I just made my first belt. Single layer 8oz. I finished it with Aussie. I will see how it holds up.

[Dwight]

6 hours ago, steelhawk said:

I have been using Resolene, cut 50% on my double layer and other belts, done after neatsfoot oil has dried.  I'm wondering if there is a better alternative.

If you define the word "better" as cheaper, . . . yes there are.  

If you define it as a finish that will give your customer a better product, . . . you will probably have to get up real early in the morning, and stay up real late at night to do that.

For the double layer belts I make, . . . I would not even think of putting anything else on there except maybe Mop and Glow, . . . all the others are much softer finishes, will scratch easier, will look much uglier, much quicker, . . . and not give your customer as good a product.

The only reason I don't use M&G is I did a cost analysis for my business, . . . Resolene is cheaper for me to use, . . . and easier.

May God bless,

Dwight

[fredk]

Two thinned coats of Resolene followed by a beeswax/carnuba wax mix rubbed well in, both sides, and then buffed to a shine. Sometimes a beeswax /neetsfoot oil mix rubbed in [both sides] before the waxes, if I think the leather needs extra feeding

[Jake907]

Blood, sweat, and tears is always the best thing for leather. But if you can't do that for everything you make, Aussie is a close second. 

This is what Aussie looks like on new veg tan

Edited December 4, 2017 by Jake907

[Sanch]

+1 M&G but 60/40 or even 70/30 distilled water. Then Montana pitch blend or my blend. Warned with heat gun them buffed to a satin. 

[YinTx]

On 12/3/2017 at 7:23 PM, Dwight said:

If you define it as a finish that will give your customer a better product, . . . you will probably have to get up real early in the morning, and stay up real late at night to do that

Man, I'm all ears for this one.  I've always been a glutton for punishment, and for trying to provide high quality in materials and craftsmanship that my customers don't always understand (or pay for), but seem to appreciate.  Seriously, this sounds like something I'd do, if only on a couple of items.  What is it????  I have a recipe for a neatsfoot/beeswax/lanolin etc. finish I've concocted in my mind, but I haven't made it yet...I'm thinking February will be a nice cold time to warm up a stove and start melting things...

YinTx

[steelhawk]

Thanks for the tips. I'll try some of these out.