Hi everyone, glad the forum is back up! :)

I was wanting to know what everyone else uses to seal leather items after engraving, but keeps the leather flexible and natural looking without making the item darker??

Any suggestions?

Thanks

aallen,

You might want to try a product called Lexol. I have no idea if it is still on the market, but in the days when leather grips were popular on golf clubs it did a great job of sealing, preserving and softening the leather.

Check out Tandy Leather's web site for dyes, protectants and coatings.

www.tandyleather.com

Keep smilin,
Michael

David,

Yes, they still make Lexol, the only thing, is with light colored leather, it seems to darken it some. So, I was hoping for another choice. I used some other stuff, but it hardened the leather. So, I will keep looking! :)

Thanks for the help.

Michael,

Thanks, will go to the web page and see if they have anything else, I have tried a few.

Will keep trying them. Thanks again,

Anything that you use to protect leather that does not stiffen it will darken it a little. Over time, it will lighten up, but that is an idicator that it needs to be done again :-(

Clear finished tend to be a top coat, almost shellac like.

Lexol is a great product, found some in my shop a few days ago that has to be at least 25 years ago cuz that is how long it has been since I worked for tandy. And, yes, it was still good.

Doug

Thanks for the information. Oh, a Tandy guy! I have ordered more stuff to try. Maybe I don't need to seal the leather after I engrave it, but I would think I need to protect it some how.

YEs, I have used the shellac stuff, to stiff and I didn't like it. I used something the hubby has at home for saddles, it darkened the leather so that the engraving was to light. When I wash the leather after engraving to get the burnt off, then the engraving is lighter, as no more burnt.

I am sure there is a way to make this work like I want, but, don't know when I will figure it out! LOL

Thanks again for all the infomation from everyone.

Yes, I didn't think about precoating the leather, I do wood, so not sure why I didn't think of that! LOL

I love working with leather, so would like to get this down. Thanks for the tip. Will try it!

Yes, I did order some to try , will see how it works when I get it.

Yes, I have used the rounders for coaster too. They are nice to use. I do love lasering on leather, I think it is my favorite thing to use, just trying to think of more things to do with the leather and how to do it best with sealers, etc.

Thanks for the tips.