Finishing techniques

[paul]

Zach,
I would worry about dye bleeding on socks. Even with proper application techniques.
Applying dye and not having rub off is hard enough without putting it in a warm, moist environment with constant rubbing.
I've heard of some saddle makers mixing dye with their oil and staining their leather that way. It might not rub off. Something to try.
I don't know what to say about the water based dyes wickability. Haven't used it enough.
Furthermore, I think you might loose alot of the drapiness that is so appealing about this leather.
You might try asking the folks at Waterhouse if they have any suggestions about that.
And then there's the good old tradition of trial and error.
Keep us informed.
Paul

[manuwa]

I want only theory on how to apply a dye on a wooden sandal heel and welt after construction, which among of the dying material is more preferable especialLy if i want it to be brown and black in colour.

[kemosabi]

Is it crazy to attempt a homemade patent leather finish? Figured I'd ask first before re-inventing the wheel.

The varnish recipe seems pretty basic:

-Linseed oil
-Asphaltum (bitumen)
-Some type of pigment such as lampblack (for black finish)

Heat linseed oil and dissolve bitumen slowly. Add pigment. Brush on varnish and let dry, rubbing with a pumice stone between coats until a shiny surface is created.

Gotta love these old recipes...

[farmerfalconer]

Sound neat! What is bitumen and where can you get it?

Cody

[farmerfalconer]

Also wondering a good source for gum tragacanth.

Thanks,
Cody

[romango]

Gum tragacanth is available at Tandy Leather Factory.

[farmerfalconer]

Great! Thanks!

Cody

[kemosabi]

Bitumen is petroleum pitch.

From Wikipedia:
Asphalt , also known as bitumen, is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum. It may be found in natural deposits or may be a refined product; it is a substance classed as a pitch. Until the 20th century, the term asphaltum was also used.

Here's the link if you want more:
Bitumen

Cheers,
-Nat

[farmerfalconer]

Interesting. I am home schooled so I am always trying to find a way to make my hobbies sound educational so that I can spend more time on them.
This might do it

Thanks,
Cody

[kemosabi]

Ahhhh... Home schooled. That explains alot.

I was just checking out your new inseaming awl and wondering how it is a 16 year old knows the first thing about metallurgy! Nice job BTW.

-Nat

[farmerfalconer]

Ha! Thanks. We "farm" so I have lots of time at home and lots of tools to use

[dw]

Gum tragacanth is available at Tandy Leather Factory.

AFAIK, the gum tragacanth that Tandy sells is in liquid form. I think what you want for this recipe is a solid form. Carreducker has a photo on his blog somewhere that shows GT in a "crystalline" form, IIRC.

Tight Stitches
DWFII--HCC Member

[kemosabi]

DW,
A little confused. Which recipe are you referring to?

[johnl]

Gum Tragacanth is used in baking and decorating cakes. You can probably pick some up a a baking supply place.
John L

[kemosabi]

Cody,
Just realized you were also asking where to get bitumen.

Bottom line is: I'm not sure. Still looking for a source myself.

Anybody have an idea? All I can find so far are huge corporations and foreign importers for the asphalt/paving industry.

[farmerfalconer]

OK. Well its probably not the same but we did some distrutive disstillation of coal earlier in the year and we got coal tar which dried into on black chunk. Just put coal in a test tube over a flame and allow the gas to escape into a condenser. Its pretty messy though.
Maybe that will help.

Cody

[farmerfalconer]

"AFAIK, the gum tragacanth that Tandy sells is in liquid form."

This may be dumb and irrelevant, but, what is AFAIK?

Cody

[dw]

AFAIK? It's what the duck says when he's not on camera.

Seriously? IIRC, AFAIK= As Far As I Know

BTW, I was mistaken. Somehow I conflated your interest in the patent leather recipe with your request for a source for gum Trag. Probably because the two posts were right after each other.

Tight Stitches
DWFII--HCC Member

[farmerfalconer]

Sorry. I text about once a year only so all those abbreviations are new to me. I would ask what IIRC is but I guess I look dumb enough

Cody

[gshoes]

Nate,

Very interesting.

From Wikipedia:
Asphalt , also known as bitumen, is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum. It may be found in natural deposits or may be a refined product; it is a substance classed as a pitch. Until the 20th century, the term asphaltum was also used.

In High School in art class we made our own etching plates, covering copper plates with Asphaltum and bees wax. I never new that it was a form of pitch.

Cody, And I don't know what IIRC is either and I am not Dumb?

Geri

[corvin]

Here's a source for gum tragacanth in powder form:

http://www.danielsmith.com/Item--i-284-070-008

[farmerfalconer]

Nat,
I did some research and found a receipt for shoe varnish which "gives a shine almost equal to patent leather" in The Art of Boot and Shoemaking by John Bedford Leno, 1885. I think page 212 or 213.
Take 1/2 lb of Gum Shellac. Break into small pieces and put in a jar and cover with alchohol.
Shake several times daily and then add a piece of camphor large as a hens egg. Shake. Add 1oz. lamp black. shake and allow to dissolve for 3 days. Shake before use and apply with a paint brush.


I dont know where to get camphor or shellac but if anyone else does Id love to know.

Hope this helps if you can find the ingredients

Cody

[dw]

I do a lot of forum reading and posting--single malt forums, spey fishing/casting forums, mens wear forums, here--so there's no dumb question.

IIRC=If I recall correctly.

BTW=By The Way.

DAMHIKT=Don't Ask Me How I Know That

FTFY=Fixed That For You

ASF=And So Forth

USW=Und So Weiter.

Tight Stitches
DWFII--HCC Member

[dw]

Also...YMMV=Your Mileage May Vary. (I use that one a lot.)

Tight Stitches
DWFII--HCC Member

[kemosabi]

Thanks Cody.
I remember seeing this recipe and thinking the same thing. What the heck is Camphor? To me, that's part of the charm of these old recipes. Wouldn't be surprised to read one someday that calls for "eye of newt" and requires reciting dark poetry while stirring the leather in a cauldron pot!

Boil, boil, toil and trouble.
Leather varnish and cauldron bubble...