MtnLaurel53 Report post Posted May 27, 2020 I put leather balm on a carved journal thinking it would give a warm color to it. (No dye just natural) I tried extra coats but hardly made a difference. Is there a way to remove it? I would like to paint the design I carved and am I correct saying the paint won’t adhere on top of balm? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
garypl Report post Posted May 27, 2020 I suggest you take another piece of leather and apply the atom wax, just like your journal. Then test the paint you plan to use and see how well it sticks. Another suggestion is to take some denatured alcohol and try to strip the wax before painting - this should be the preferred method, but again, test on some scrap to see if you like how it looks before you mess up your journal. Acrylic paints seem to stick to many types of finishes quite well, but I would be concerned about durability when applied on a waxed surface. Nothing to lose by testing first on some scrap! Gary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hardrada Report post Posted May 28, 2020 Would Fiebing's deglazer help here? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paloma Report post Posted May 28, 2020 once the wax has passed it is an illusion to think of painting over it even if you have cleaned it well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MtnLaurel53 Report post Posted May 28, 2020 Thank you for suggestions. Gary, I think I will try the denatured alcohol. What do I have to lose? Just would have to start over if it doesn’t work! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
garypl Report post Posted May 29, 2020 That’s how we learn from our mistakes and I have had many! Like I said, maybe experiment with some scrap leather before you bugger up your journal. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DebHop Report post Posted June 2, 2020 You could also try Angelus Professional Leather Preparer And Deglazer. works great in prepping shoes for decorative painting. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnv474 Report post Posted June 11, 2020 (edited) Did you apply the leather balm with atom wax sparingly, let it dry, then buff or brush? It will not color leather especially, but it will give it a richer color, sheen, and depth. To darken, let it get some sun, apply some pure neatsfoot oil, apply mink oil (not my favorite), or all of the above. Natural veg tan darkens quickly under those circumstances. Or, strip it with color preparer, spot remover, or deglazer and then dye it, but if you do, be sure to condition it with something along the way. Oil dyes penetrate better and more evenly,.and don't add to the drying effect of the strippers listed above. Edited June 11, 2020 by johnv474 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
