swhoelefp69 Report post Posted September 21, 2021 Hi gang! working on a project, and wondering if anyone has a suggestion on how to easily 'peel off' a thin top layer on the smooth side of veg-tan leather? I've done a small section with an exacto knife, and it took a long time - I have a big surface to do. Thinking some kind of thin file or skiver of some sort? pics for reference - project will be dyed black like in the pic. Any help is surely appreciated! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Klara Report post Posted September 21, 2021 Are you trying to make it look worn or are you trying to get the worn parts off? To me the black stuff looks like plastic-coated split leather (is that the term for the lower layer of a hide that gets a new, thin man-made top layer stuck on after the top grain leather has been split off?) I've bought that stuff by mistake and wouldn't dream of trying to imitate it with some nice top grain veg tan... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
swhoelefp69 Report post Posted September 21, 2021 2 minutes ago, Klara said: Are you trying to make it look worn or are you trying to get the worn parts off? To me the black stuff looks like plastic-coated split leather (is that the term for the lower layer of a hide that gets a new, thin man-made top layer stuck on after the top grain leather has been split off?) I've bought that stuff by mistake and wouldn't dream of trying to imitate it with some nice top grain veg tan... Thanks Klara - I'm trying to make it look worn. It's a finishing effect I haven't yet mastered. It's all veg tan in the pics - you can see how the peeling starts, but it's really time consuming - just trying to find a better way to peel away the top layer. Yup! - trying to imitate the fake leather cracking/peeling on nice veg tan! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YinTx Report post Posted September 22, 2021 7 hours ago, swhoelefp69 said: Yup! - trying to imitate the fake leather cracking/peeling on nice veg tan! soooooooooooo..... I have this couch I could sell ya....... YinTx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tsunkasapa Report post Posted September 22, 2021 2 hours ago, YinTx said: soooooooooooo..... I have this couch I could sell ya....... YinTx And I have the matching chair! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
battlemunky Report post Posted September 22, 2021 That looks super cool. I've no idea on how to make that happen fast though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YinTx Report post Posted September 22, 2021 1 hour ago, battlemunky said: That looks super cool. I've no idea on how to make that happen fast though. How about applying paint or acrylic finish to a split, letting it dry, then flexing it a lot? Or put something that would resist the finish first on the split? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
swhoelefp69 Report post Posted September 27, 2021 thanks - just took my time... happy with the result! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
battlemunky Report post Posted September 27, 2021 That looks great! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites