Leather balm with atom wax

[MtnLaurel53]

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!

[garypl]

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

[Hardrada]

Would Fiebing's deglazer help here?

[paloma]

once the wax has passed it is an illusion to think of painting over it even if you have cleaned it well.

[MtnLaurel53]

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!

[garypl]

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.

[DebHop]

You could also try Angelus Professional Leather Preparer And Deglazer. 
works great in prepping shoes for decorative painting. 
 

 

[johnv474]

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