Bleed-proof dye job

[NVLeatherWorx]

On 9/11/2018 at 7:24 PM, ScoobyNewbie said:

Is your recipe personal? Or can we have it? I really don’t like harsh smells. I would love a sealer that smells nice.

There isn't really anything personal about the blend.  I use natural beeswax (it has been heavily filtered to get all of the junk out but is as pure as it can be, and without all the smoke smell), Pure Neatsfoot Oil (no compound garbage), and Pure Cocoa Butter; the trick is to get the right ratios so you have a finished product that has the same consistency as lip balm.  In fact, I have one local leather craftsman that uses my sealer as his Mustache wax for the "handle bars", he loves it. It doesn't have a honey smell or any other smell for that matter but it does bring out the natural aroma of the leather, especially if it is a true Oak tan leather; you get the real leather smell without all of that "perfume" smell to cover up the stench of a lesser tanning solutions.

[ScoobyNewbie]

Thank you very much. I well try to put some together this next weekend. I actually have all that stuff!

[NVLeatherWorx]

19 hours ago, ScoobyNewbie said:

Thank you very much. I well try to put some together this next weekend. I actually have all that stuff!

Here is where I go with it:  Oil - 50%, Beeswax - 30%, Cocoa Butter - 20%; you can dabble with it and come up with whatever you find feels best to you.  I always take a piece of unfinished veg-tan with me and when someone asks about the conditioner I apply some and then buff it off after a few minutes (like to let the oil soak in and beeswax to firm up first).  Then I take and put a drop of water on the leather and let it sit there.  I leave it there for a couple of hours and everyone else that sees it gets that spark in their eye that they just have to get some of that stuff.  Now, you need to be very clear that this in no way will permanently waterproof the leather; nothing really will regardless of the claims and published information; it does doe very well at repelling water for a very extended time though and that is the key.

Good luck and have some fun with it.  If you get into the business of packaging and selling you can find the perfect tins (that is what I use) on Amazon.  I have 1/2 oz. tins that I give away on all sales over $90, 1 oz., 2 oz., and 4 oz. tins that I sell.  The 1/2 oz. tin alone will last a couple of years, maybe 4 (depending on the number of leather items that it is used on of course).  It doesn't take much to work but you will learn that shortly.

[ScoobyNewbie]

[koreric75]

13 hours ago, NVLeatherWorx said:

Here is where I go with it:  Oil - 50%, Beeswax - 30%, Cocoa Butter - 20%; you can dabble with it and come up with whatever you find feels best to you.  I always take a piece of unfinished veg-tan with me and when someone asks about the conditioner I apply some and then buff it off after a few minutes (like to let the oil soak in and beeswax to firm up first).  Then I take and put a drop of water on the leather and let it sit there.  I leave it there for a couple of hours and everyone else that sees it gets that spark in their eye that they just have to get some of that stuff.  Now, you need to be very clear that this in no way will permanently waterproof the leather; nothing really will regardless of the claims and published information; it does doe very well at repelling water for a very extended time though and that is the key.

Good luck and have some fun with it.  If you get into the business of packaging and selling you can find the perfect tins (that is what I use) on Amazon.  I have 1/2 oz. tins that I give away on all sales over $90, 1 oz., 2 oz., and 4 oz. tins that I sell.  The 1/2 oz. tin alone will last a couple of years, maybe 4 (depending on the number of leather items that it is used on of course).  It doesn't take much to work but you will learn that shortly.

That is awesome, one couldn't ask for more, even with the containers...I will look into this as i've found some projects need something other than the resolene although i use this most with the airbrush.  I need to learn more patience and let the dyed project set overnight and rebuff before spraying though...lol

[NVLeatherWorx]

3 hours ago, koreric75 said:

That is awesome, one couldn't ask for more, even with the containers...I will look into this as i've found some projects need something other than the resolene although i use this most with the airbrush.  I need to learn more patience and let the dyed project set overnight and rebuff before spraying though...lol

"Patience comes to those who wait" - Probably one of the most "duh" moments in the writers life was when they penned that little tidbit of wisdom.  Patience is something that we can all learn to be better at in this trade regardless of how long you have been doing it.  Of course, we also know that patience is a virtue but I am not one who is very virtuous.  

On the conditioner, you can also apply it a bit thicker for the initial application and then use a standard blow dryer on a medium heat setting to "melt" it into the leather; still let it sit for a bit before you buff it out though and, if need be, you can apply another coating as normal to give it that rich look.  I have found that my end finish looks almost identical to what a Resolene finish would give you, not overly shiny but it has a nice "glow" to it.