How and Why: Deglazing Leather

You may have watched the previous belt videos where I had a problem with the finish. This video addresses how to remove the finish, a process known as deglazing. This is a little on how I do it and why.
Amazon Paid Affiliate Links Below
Mr. Tolly's Amazon Store: amzn.to/3lhO6S0
Check these links out for more information
favoredleather.com/leather-de...
Weaver Leather Supply Video
• The Leather Element: D...
Fiebings Video
• Fiebing's Deglazer How...

[@ChristopherHayles]

Informative. No fluff. Easy to follow. Subscribed. Nice job.

[@FatManLeather]

I'm glad you found it useful, thanks for subscribing.

[@scottf.3808]

Thanks for the info and taking us along with the project and also pointing out how to fix things when they don't go as planned.....Good stuff.....

[@FatManLeather]

Stuff goes wrong for everyone, I just show it. I like to keep it real, thanks for coming along for the ride.

[@scottf.3808]

@@FatManLeather 👍👍

[@giessel]

Really nice video. Thank you!

[@FatManLeather]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching.

[@kromoism]

Thanks for the great info!

[@FatManLeather]

My pleasure, thanks for watching.

[@steve64464]

I found it interesting exposing leather to acetone to try strip out its dye and create a rougher finish on it , It could take leather from a very dark brown to a lighter red like color which i did to make the leather better suited for laser engraving experiments on it 🙂 , was leather from scrap furniture i believe.

[@FatManLeather]

Acetone is my last resort, I usually deglaze just to remove the topcoat.

[@steve64464]

@@FatManLeather I dont know if you can "reglaze" after or not to re-protect its finish but leather is interesting to mess around with craft wise 🙂

[@FatManLeather]

@@steve64464 You can apply a topcoat without an issue, however, any charring left behind by the laser process will be spread around unless you are using an airbrush to apply it.

[@steve64464]

@@FatManLeather topcoat of what product? some kinda transparent spray?

[@FatManLeather]

@@steve64464 saddlelac is a spray product but not very flexible. Acrylic Resolene can be wiped on or sprayed on with an airbrush and can be thinned with water. Tankote is what I use most, wipe on and let it dry. Resolene and Tankote have some flexibility.

[@camhyde9701]

What about using IPA on a leather steering wheel to remove silicon (and ceramic coating) contamination?

[@FatManLeather]

I couldn't say, I'd try isopropyl alcohol first since it's fairly mild, someplace unseen. If that doesn't work, I'd try nail polish remover (mild acetone), then acetone as a last resort.

[@PraiseHimOnly777]

Hi, love the video! My husband took a cordovan belt in to a shop to get refurbished. The color dyed ended up a muddy brown. He doesn’t like the color. Do you possibly know if I could dye it back to cordovan? Thanks for any advice

[@FatManLeather]

You could try to deglaze it. Not knowing what kind of leather the belt is made of can make it tough. If it's made of a drum dyed veg tanned leather it may be successful, however it will probably take something stronger than Isopropyl Alcohol, maybe mineral spirts or acetone (fingernail polish remover is a good substitute for acetone). Try it in a small inconspicuous place first.

[@Victoria-jo3wr]

Hi there, thank you for the video! You mention using neatsfoot oil to soften up veg tan leather after deglazing--would you use this for chrome tan leather as well?

[@FatManLeather]

I've only deglazed chrome tan leather a few times, and never used Neatsfoot oil. Being tanned with chemicals I'm not sure it would work well. I normally use something like Connolly's Hide Care, or Bickmore's Bick 4 to condition chrome tan. These products also work well on veg tan, I also use them for moisturizing old leather when I'm doing repair work.

[@Victoria-jo3wr]

Those are good suggestions, thank you! I'll see if I can track those down. I am processing some leather from an old recliner somebody was throwing out and although the leather is good quality, it definitely needs some TLC :)

[@FatManLeather]

@@Victoria-jo3wr For a project like that I'd use the Bick 4, here's a link to it on Amazon amzn.to/406B9wl

[@machoprotegido5607]

Hello. May I ask what tanne coat you used? Like what it's made of? I liked the shine of it.

[@FatManLeather]

I use Fiebing's TanKote, have to check with Fiebing's for that info. Sometimes it's the application method.

[@machoprotegido5607]

@@FatManLeather Thank you!

[@thomasrossi1612]

I have polished leather shoes (spazzolato high-shine calf leather, not patent leather) that are too shiny. Is it possible to remove the finish with alcohol?

[@FatManLeather]

Shoes are generally made with a chrome tanned leather, it may take something a little stronger like lacquer thinner. Whiteriver you do, try it in a small area that isn't easily seen.

[@Master...deBater]

Hi Mr. Tolly. Fellow fatman and former Minnesotan (now Montanan) here. I had a pair of matching holsters made. The maker did a great job with everything but the color. They turned out several shades lighter than the photos on his website. His prices are great for the quality hand tooling work he does...so I figured instead of returning the pieces and have him fix the color issues...I'd just fix em myself. That way I hope to get the color just right. He supposedly finished the pieces with "Eco-flo Mahogany Gel Antique" and "Fiebing's Leather Balm w/Atom Wax". I was wondering what to expect by removing the finish? Is ISO alcohol strong enough to remove the leather balm...and is it likely to also remove the Antique? Or do I need to step up to deglazer? My plan is to redye with "Eco-flo Saddle Tan Highlight Finish" and reapply the Gel Antique and Leather Balm. Do you see any issues with my plan...IE: will the Gel Antique stick after the Highlight Finish...or will that "Finish" act as a resist to the Antique? Thanks for the video...and any advice would be greatly appreciated, Nate.

[@FatManLeather]

I think the alcohol should be enough for the leather balm but it may take some of the Gel Antique as well. I'm not very familiar with the Eco Flo products, I don't believe they are alcohol based. After you dye the holsters you will most likely need to reapply the antique as well. I wish I could be more assistance with this one.

[@Master...deBater]

@@FatManLeather Thank you very much...I appreciate the feedback.

[@FatManLeather]

@@Master...deBater My pleasure

[@llllllllllilillii]

is there ANY way to remove the dye? can you sand it off or is there a product to REMOVE the dye? Does Acetone REMOVE the dye?

[@FatManLeather]

Done properly, dye penetrated the leather. I can't say that anything will completely remove dye. Acetone, Mineral Spirits, and Lacquer Thinner can all be used with varying results. A drum dyed leather will be much more difficult than something you dyed. It would also be dependent on what dye was used, most times you can go with a darker dye. I hope this is helpful.

[@freedomguy69]

Im trying to deglaze my mercedes interior(front,pass, rear seats) I already purchased Angelus deglazer. The seats were painted red with cheap leather paint and is cracking very bad already. Any tips on how I can strip it safely and dye it instead of paint it. Someone told me have to dye it yellow and then red?

[@freedomguy69]

Also should note original color was cream for the interior and now it's painted red and I want to dye it red

[@FatManLeather]

It depends what kind of paint was used, a leather paint will be difficult to remove. You could try lacquer thinner, carefully, in a spot that isn't seen. Other than that, I think you may be out of luck.

[@jeffislearning]

any opinion on using denatured alcohol on deglazing??

[@FatManLeather]

I always try the least intrusive method first, Isopropyl Alcohol isn't too harsh on the leather, that's why I start with it. I have had to use acetone or mineral spirits as well. If the leather doesn't have a topcoat there isn't really a need to deglaze it. Usually I only deglaze to remove a topcoat so I can dye an item a darker color

[@markb3129]

I guess it safe to say only apply acrylic top coats when the temperature is warm sense it a water base product?? ✌🏻

[@FatManLeather]

Tankote anyway, Acrylic Resolene worked out pretty well. I cut my Resolene with about 40% water and I've never had a problem with it, but it does seal the leather so you need to make sure it's well oiled first.

[@Brit943]

Can you deglaze patent leather? I have a patent leather bag I want to turn to just leather and I’m finding out it just may be impossible lol

[@FatManLeather]

To the best of my knowledge, this isn't possible. The process for the surface coating that makes up patent leather permeates the leather pretty deep. Someone may have more knowledge on the actual process than I do, I'm only relying on my limited experience with it.

[@Brit943]

@@FatManLeather o I love when you tubers respond fast lol. Thank you so much, I appreciate your expert opinion on the situation. Patent leather it is lol

[@FatManLeather]

@@Brit943 I do my best, Thank you.