For most persons who just started their first leather projects, it can be a daunting task to get their crafts sealed after applying leather dyes. If you are one of such persons searching for ways how to seal leather after dyeing, freight not, as you can handle this task within a short while. It is a known fact that applying a leather sealer makes your dye last longer and look more attractive.
Ever noticed the colors of your leather jackets, bags, shoes, and couches fading off? Such a situation can be quite terrible and can make these leather items lose their value. Well, it could be that after dyeing these crafts, there was no application of a leather sealer. Thus, the vulnerable colors start fading without such protection.
You can find leather sealers that suit various types of leather and provide your leather items with a professional appearance. So, before you see that leathercraft as a completed project, ensure you remember to create that finishing touch by applying a leather sealer.
How to Seal Leather Step-by-Step Guide
After creating your leathercraft, applying dyes makes them appear colorful and attractive. But, you may find the dyes wearing off after a while, as many dyes come manufactured to be relatively vulnerable. However, a suitable leather sealer would work well in keeping the dye colors protected, making them appear bright.
Another important feature of the leather sealer is the excellent protection against wear and moisture. Thus, leather items that have sealers applied to them can last long and duly serve their purpose. If you want to darken leather items, whether old or new, using dyes, the sealer will make the dark color stay longer.
To get started with this process, you would need the following:
- A leather sealer
- Sheep’s wool of a clean and dry cloth
- A soft brush
- A sponge
The Steps Involved:
Letting the Dyes Dry
After applying the dye to your leather item, take some time off and leave it to dry before sealing it off. In some cases, you may want to condition your leather before moving on to seal the dye. This action can provide more protection for the underneath leather and moisten the natural fibers.
Applying the Leather Sealer
Once the dye gets dried, then the leather piece is ready to accept the sealer. Thus, it would help if you get your leather sealer and other tools needed for its application. Shake the bottle of leather sealer thoroughly or stir properly, and start applying using a soft brush.
It would be best if you start by getting the sealant onto an inconspicuous area of the leather item to note the color change. If you find it suitable, then you can start applying further to other areas of the leather.
Working in circular motions, rub the sealer on the entire leather using the brush, ensuring you don’t miss out on any points. Do not forget the edges, as they are quite crucial; learn how to seal leather edges intricately to ensure that you don’t leave any corners out.
Leaving the Sealer to Dry
Once done with the application, allow the leather topcoat to dry, leaving it for 3-4 hours. Please, ensure that you don’t dry the leather with sunlight, as it can have a damaging effect. Place the leather item in a cool area with adequate ventilation and leave the sealer to dry. Try to inspect the leather to ascertain when it gets dried.
Get your fingers on the leather surface, and once you notice that it doesn’t feel tacky, the sealer is dry. Then, apply a second coating, repeating the process and letting the sealer dry. Once dried, get your sheep’s wool or a clean cloth to buff the leather’s sides, doing so intricately.
Are you unsure of how to buff leather after dyeing? Lay the leather item on your work table and start rubbing the cloth on the leather surface till the pigments get off, or you find “nothing” coming off. Finish off with a suitable leather polish to keep the leather shiny for that professional look.
Note: You can also apply a third coating if you desire but always ensure the previous coating gets dried before applying another. It would help if you quickly clean the brush by washing it in soapy water after each application. Do not also forget to wash the cloth used to buff the leather using soap and water.
Choosing a Good Leather Sealer
Are you in search of a suitable leather sealer? With various options, it can be quite challenging to pick the right one. However, you can try the Leather Max color restorer, as it comes manufactured with top-quality ingredients that seal perfectly.
Leather Resolene:
This synthetic product for leather serves as a super sealer that comes formulated with acrylic to protect the leather underneath. The application of leather resole is in thin layers, and you can also apply more than a single coat. The good news is that they are available in various craft stores and in different colors. You can easily pick a color that is close to the applied leather dye and seal it.
Carnauba Wax:
Carnauba wax is a resolute alternative that creates a protective layer for leather items and ensures the dye colors do not fade quickly. Interestingly, this is an excellent solution that can also resist dirt and moisture, making sure the leathercraft lasts for a long while. Using carnauba wax as a sealant, you can get an outstanding result that leaves off a shiny appearance of the leather bag, shoe, jacket, or wallet.
Aside from these products, you can also pick leather sheen from sealing your leather, as they are durable, flexible, water-repellant, and provide a shiny appearance. You can compare leather sheen vs. resilience and pick out the better option for your craft. Alternatively, you can formulate a DIY leather sealer using a mixture of neatfoot oil or almond oil, and beeswax.
FAQs
Q: What do you use in sealing leather?
There are various products that work well for sealing leather after dyeing, and some popular options are leather resole and carnauba wax. They offer excellent protection for the leather, ensuring the colors do not fade and keep moisture off.
However, you can go for some more reliable leather sealers that come formulated with great ingredients and are available in various stores. The leather sheen is also fantastic and easy to apply. If you are on a low budget, you can get your sealer formulated at home. A mixture of neatfoot oil and beeswax would be great.
Q: How do you seal dyed leather?
Dyeing your leather crafts makes them appear colorful, and sealing the leather afterward ensures the colors do not fade. You can seal a dyed leather item by applying a suitable leather sealer, but you must first ensure that the dye gets dried.
Then, shake or stir the sealer vigorously, ensuring it mixes appropriately and start applying with a soft brush. On applying the first coat, please leave it to dry for about 3 hours before getting the second coating applied. When the second coating gets dried, buff the leather with a clean cloth and polish it afterward.
Q: What does Resolene do to leather?
Leather resolene comes formulated with acrylic, unlike wax-based sealers, and each thin layer of resolene applied on the leather surface offers maximum protection. It is relatively easy to apply, and it also gets dried quickly.
You can start applying a few coats of resolene using an applicator, soft brush, or sheep’s cotton, rubbing it on the leather in circular motions. Ensure each coat gets dry before applying another, and polish the leather afterward. The resolene applied would ensure that the leather color lasts for a long time and does not fade.
Q: Can you use polyurethane on leather?
Yes. The water-based, rigid, yet flexible, and durable polyurethane serves as an excellent top coating for leather. Thus, an application of this solution would prevent various leather damages and make the leather piece resistant to abrasion. There are various polyurethane products available in stores that are quite reliable; you can get one and apply a light coating on your leather projects as a leather finishing.
Q: How do you seal leather with beeswax?
You can seal your leather dye with beeswax after letting the dye applied to the leather to dry. Get your beeswax and start rubbing on the leather item in circular motions, and ensure you rub every part of the leather, including the edges.
Then, use a clean cloth or sheep’s wool to lightly buff to leave only a thin coating of the beeswax. This application would condition the leather and preserve the colors, ensuring they don’t start fading soon.
Final Words
Leather crafts are excellent, and there are many colorful Leather items available in the market. You can also make your leather projects appear more attractive by getting some leather dye onto them. However, it would also help to apply a leather sealer afterward to make the colors durable.
Not doing so can cause the vulnerable colors to start fading off after a short while, which can be quite frustrating. You can quickly get reliable leather sealers from craft stores or formulate one and get on with the process of how to seal leather after dyeing. A peek through the easy steps this article hinted at would be of great help.
