Did anyone experiment with making your own edge paint?

[DrmCa]

I am tempted to try fast-curing polyurethane resins with pigments. Did anyone try to make your own?

[Woodnut]

I haven't made my own edge paints, per se. However, on both veg tan and chrome leathers I have used India ink to "dye" the edges (to match or compliment the color of the leather) and, when the ink is dry, I have painted over the ink with Mod Podge, an acrylic application. Both are inexpensive and readily available at art-supply stores. It is effective and long-lasting, and the color from the India ink does not bleed. The advantage of Mod Podge is that it can provide a matte, satin or gloss finish to the edge. It is effective and long-lasting, and the color from the India ink does not bleed; I have been carrying around in my front pocket a wallet I made 5 years ago, and the applications to the edges are still holding up.

[Klara]

I don't have the results yet, but I'll be dyeing the edges with water-based dye (it's what I have) and then use Tokonole. I believe that should give a similar result to edge paint.

[Spyros]

Apparently edge kote is just gesso+dye.  You could make a 2 litre bucket for about $30

[Klara]

What is gesso?

[fredk]

Gesso is a paint with a filler, such as talc or gypsum which artists paint on their raw canvas before painting.

As it has a filler it can be put on to canvas, and historically onto shields, thickly and built up to give a 3 D effect

[Tugadude]

Not all edge paints are created equal.  And if you want something that is going to hold up, gesso ain't it.

[Klara]

Thanks. I'm assuming gesso is not elastic, then? Rules it out in my eyes.

@fredkBut would dye and your floor polish work? (I forgot to check what is sold over here  - just never go into the aisle with cleaning supplies...)

 

[fredk]

Gesso is very fragile after a while. I can and will crack off its substrate after time. Its a bane of art restorers

My 'floor polish' on its own, with or without dye, is too thin as a 'paint'. It will seal the edge and several coats will build up something like a painted edge but then it too becomes rather un-flexible. Perhaps if a neutral filler such as talc is added to it as well to give it some body it might work. I occasionally use the 'polish' with talc added as a fine line filler on my model aeroplanes

[jcuk]

This might be of interest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPJL7311020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUV5-dOjVFA

Hope this helps

JCUK