Did anyone experiment with making your own edge paint?

[Spyros]

Well I didn't say gasso makes edge paint, I said that apparently it makes edge kote based on what I've read. 

And I haven't tried it because I don't really use edge paint so I can't comment on durability or flexibility.

I have used edge kote on projects though and it still seems fairly durable and flexible a couple of years later.

 

[Spyros]

On 10/26/2021 at 8:46 AM, Tugadude said:

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

I know, but the best edge paints that people recommend are not necessarily available in all parts of the world.   And instead of ordering from overseas during COVID times where shipping can take months and months, it might be worth experimenting with materials from a local art shop.

Not everybody needs the absolute best.

[HOLDMYSWIVELKNIFE]

ecoflo natural edge can be mixed with either angelus paints or ecoflo waterstains to create new colours for edge painting

[Eirewolf]

Hey, sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I've looked around and can't seem to find an answer to my question. I'm making a large tote bag out of 3.5-oz ... not sure exactly what kind of leather it is, but it's not dyed through. It's dark brown, but the cut edges are pale and I don't like how that looks. I don't have edge paint and don't really want to wait for an order to arrive.... Has anyone ever used regular acrylic paint? (I have a bunch of Liquitex acrylic.) How is it different? I've never used edge paint and don't know much about it. I'll order some if it's really necessary, and would appreciate recommendations for what would work best here. (I'm in the U.S..) Thanks in advance!

[TomE]

On 10/26/2021 at 12:44 AM, Klara said:

@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...)

 

My favorite edge dye is a 50:50 mixture of Pro Dye and Martin's Edge Solution.  Dye and burnish in one step, similar to the traditional dye/glue mixes that @jcuk posted.  The Martin's Edge Solution smells a bit like acrylic floor wax but the burnished edge remains permeable to additional coats of dye.  I finish the edge with a waxy conditioner or hot beeswax.  Don't know what's in Edge Solution, but in my experience it produces more consistent results for bridle leather edges than other methods I've tried.   

[TomE]

35 minutes ago, Eirewolf said:

Hey, sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I've looked around and can't seem to find an answer to my question. I'm making a large tote bag out of 3.5-oz ... not sure exactly what kind of leather it is, but it's not dyed through. It's dark brown, but the cut edges are pale and I don't like how that looks. I don't have edge paint and don't really want to wait for an order to arrive.... Has anyone ever used regular acrylic paint? (I have a bunch of Liquitex acrylic.) How is it different? I've never used edge paint and don't know much about it. I'll order some if it's really necessary, and would appreciate recommendations for what would work best here. (I'm in the U.S..) Thanks in advance!

 

It's standard practice to dye the edges of leather that has been dyed at the tannery and your edge treatment can really enhance the look of a bag - worth your time and some experimentation. I've never used an edge paint but I'd be concerned about how flexible it is and if it would wear well.  My vote would be to test whether the edge can be burnished with something like Tokonole or Martin's Edge Solution.  If it can be burnished then I would dye and burnish the edges instead of painting.  

[Klara]

7 hours ago, Eirewolf said:

I've never used edge paint and don't know much about it. I'll order some if it's really necessary,

No, it's not necessary. I don't know anything about acrylic paint, though. For the leather you are showing, oil might darken the edges enough to fit in with the surface. For a really dark edge you could use vinegaroon (basically iron in vinegar - recipes somewhere in this forum). Or you could buy a bottle of leather dye of some sort. And then burnish the edges with beeswax.

I'd cut off some scraps and experiment with what is in the house. Btw, question to everybody: Shouldn't shoe polish work?

Now, if you want edges like these, you'll probably need edge paint. And practice, patience and elbow grease:

Personally, I make things for my everyday use and my edge treatments are very summarily. Just a light rubbing with beeswax or Tokonole (if the leather is dark, I generally use vinegaroon beforehand) and the real polishing happens in use.

[SUP]

@Eirewolf, if you have a Tandy close by you could get leather acrylic paints. You might get them in a Hobby Lobby as well. They work for edges and actual edge paints seem to be the same, only thicker. 

@Klara You use vinegaroon for edges? How do you do that? I tried it on a dark brown scrap and it seeped inside to form an uneven edge. 

[SpruceMoose]

The time it would take to properly test out an unknown homemade edge paint would be the time it takes to wait for an order. Unless of course you are just testing things out to see what works in the mean time. I wouldn't use an unknown in work that is to go for sale or an order especially for edges, they flex and move and get rubbed and chaffed so much with use.

Personally, I find regular acrylics, even high end ones, don't look nice on leather like the acrylics made for leather do.

There's lots of Pre formulated and long time tested edge paint works great and goes a long way, imo. I like tandy's ecoflo edge flex paint(rebranded Fenix, works just like it has. The only 'ecoflo' product i've ever used that works decent for me, imo.)

[Klara]

Sorry, I don't remember what I used to apply the vinegaroon. Probably a small brush, but it might have been a Q-tip or small sponge. I guess the surface treatment of the leather stopped seepage from showing. Except for one place (bottom picture), though I suspect that's more that I misapplied it than real seepage. Don't care, the bag holds my card reader and headphones. I would not use vinegaroon with natural coloured leather. 

And I always try just things on pieces of scrap which I keep for this purpose.