Use This Stingray Edge Painting Tip

[@jujuc6996]

splendid work, what kind of cloth do you use to make the edge layers so smooth ? Thank you, keep on the good work!

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

Thank you. I try and give a lot of info away for free, however some trade secrets are kept for my students in the online course.

[@pvt.reefer6163]

Use canvas or denim

[@dereinzigeweg]

I honestly don`t understand how edge painting became a thing and still is. I mean, you got that classic material, leather, used for millenia, that stood the test of time and, if properly cared for, ages beautifully like very few others. And then there`s this stuff that`s painted on the leather edges, and it starts to crack and flake off, no chance of developing a beautiful patina like leather does. It just falls apart. How come these so contradicting materials still go together? Afaik, that happens at every price point. I own a purse from Bottega Veneta, not luxury but pricy. It collects character with every passing day, except from the deteriorating plastic edges, which are starting to become a very unpleasant distraction from an otherwise beautiful product. And I made a single pass leather strap for one of my watches my self, of course without edge paint. Just with a nice finish on the natural edges. It looks fantastic imho and I am pretty confident it still will in few years from now. Not so sure about my purse. May I ask you about your opinion on this?

[@dereinzigeweg]

p.s.: My comment is in no way meant to devalue your work, you are doing a fantastic job! This is just about the paint.

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

I definitely think much has to do with the quality of the edge paint. It varies much like leather. I've never witnessed cracking or peeling from Uniters brand for example, it's incredibly tough. Personally I'm not the biggest fan of edge paint or raw edges, my preference has always been for turned edges, edge bindings and French bindings. However not all my students are capable of achieving these, so many of my courses will cover different ways to finish edges.

[@noelosstaht]

You're not alone with the paint edges cracking and splitting with luxury goods. A few weeks ago I bought a $565 zipped bold wallet from Maison Margiela and noticed the corner of the coin zipper already tearing. The leather is perfect but the painted edges make it seem cheap.

[@Steve-se5zc]

Is dyeing stingray leather the same as cow leather? Looking to dye a blue stingray leather into black or dark brown. Will the dye also color the pearls?

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

Having seen un-sanded stingray 'dye' chip off before, I think it is some kind of enamel finish sprayed onto the surface, in addition to the fibrous underlayer being drum dyed. But that is just a theory. So in answer to your question, no it's not the same dying process in my opinion. I would just buy some black or dark brown stingray and leave the blue for something else.

[@sarahjanepost2320]

What are you using to apply edge paint?

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

Some kind of edge paint roller I got from aliexpress. They're everywhere on there.

[@V3leathercraft]

What to do to prevent edge dyes from bleeding?

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

Do you mean with regular leather?

[@V3leathercraft]

@@LeathercraftMasterclass yes. Hand dyed in leather natural,... While burnishing edges with dyes, bleeding happens. I am not into edge paint

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

@@V3leathercraft Try mixing PVA glue and water 1:4, then apply that to your burnished edge (like a primer). After drying the edge will still absorb dye, but it will be reduced to prevent bleeding. Alternatively, if you are using a water based dye, you can simply add PVA glue to thicken it slightly which also slow absorption (and dye transfer at the same time). Test ratios until you achieve the result you require.