Guest mizen12 Posted July 13, 2007 Report Share Posted July 13, 2007 I don't know if it's been covered before, but what do you guys use for staining leather soles? I personally use F.Ball 406 bottom stain which does the job fine but I am always ready to hear other ideas, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted July 13, 2007 Report Share Posted July 13, 2007 I dont like Bottom Stain, it shows through on yer Pants Seriously, I hate the stuff, I think it makes the job look cheap and false. Leather is not that colour so why use that stain? Imagine using a stain on J.Rendenbach soles, sacray blurrrrr as they say in Poland. Just a natural (solvent based, not water)polish will beat any stained job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x minit uk Posted July 13, 2007 Report Share Posted July 13, 2007 I always use bottom stain and imo it looks very good, it also looks good on my JR soles. Sometimes I just use fake and polish them over . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted July 13, 2007 Report Share Posted July 13, 2007 Do a test, do a pair in Bottom Stain and a pair plain polish, put them on the counter and ask the customers 2 questions. 1. which finish they prefer. 2. Which looks more natural. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perplexus Posted July 13, 2007 Report Share Posted July 13, 2007 My dad always used household ammonia, which gave a nice rich colour. Not sure if you can still buy it today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobblers Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 Just a natural (solvent based, not water)polish will beat any stained job. whaddya recommend hugh? i've used bottom stain since year dot but i've never liked it and other methods i've tried have failed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 My dad always used household ammonia, which gave a nice rich colour. Not sure if you can still buy it today! I used this in the 50/60s for competition work and yes you can still buy it. also used to use milk mixed with some form of bottom stain to make it lighter but cant remember how we did it or how we used the ammonia. Too blooming long ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 whaddya recommend hugh? i've used bottom stain since year dot but i've never liked it and other methods i've tried have failed. Experimentation is the solution, start with all different natural shoe or furniture polishes, rub it in let it stand for 30 mins before buffing, Glo Fake used to be the one commonly used.(trade product from your wholesaler). Get a load of scrap bits of Leather and write on them what you used (before using)then compare results, who knows you may end up with a finish that no-one else can obtain. If I was trying to find a new product to do this job I would start with the waxes used for Pine or Light Oak furniture, some good ones about now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 brown leather dye, and buff up with natural yankee wax on a clean mop/brush. Good finish on some leathers, but not all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x minit uk Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 A lot of Timmo people use cobblers cream, that gives a good natural look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 brown leather dye, and buff up with natural yankee wax on a clean mop/brush.Good finish on some leathers, but not all Dont like theidea of the brown dye coming off on carpets, buty, how does Yankee wax natural on its own finish like. Never used it on soles as I dont like the stuff, too gritty and dull for my taste although it does cover well and could be used without ink in some situations (I aint condoning this just mentioning it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 A lot of Timmo people use cobblers cream, that gives a good natural look. Yeh but dont they have the monopoly on this, seem to remember ascap29 asking for it some time ago. So unless it is available elsewhere, that's out unless you go nicking it from a shop near you (not that I'm suggesting that of course). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skippy Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 A lot of people use cobblers cream cos its there and easy but personlly I hate it. It stays sticky too long it also highlights any blemishes in the leather, and if you do manage to get a good shine it will disappear within a couple of days even if kept in a bag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiltshire Cobbler Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 I've stopped using cobblers cream as well. It sticks to the polishing cloth and you end up spending 15 mins trying to clean the fibres off your now fluffy sole. Glo-fake is the one for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobblers Posted July 15, 2007 Report Share Posted July 15, 2007 never used glo fake enlighten me on how you apply it finish it please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windycity Posted July 15, 2007 Report Share Posted July 15, 2007 glow fake makes me sneeze but am look to buy a large bubble to live in or change jobs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiltshire Cobbler Posted July 15, 2007 Report Share Posted July 15, 2007 It's a clear soft wax that comes in a tin. Just put it on with a lint free cloth and rub it in and it leaves a high gloss finish on soles. It can be used to enhance bottom finish although I prefer to leave the original colour in place. For a mirror finish, use carna wax on the machine brushes afterwards and it looks like it's been gloss sprayed! It's also brilliant for removing yankee wax from uppers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bristolcobbler Posted July 15, 2007 Report Share Posted July 15, 2007 i always use mid tan kiwi polish warm it a little under the heat lamp so its a little runny always looks really nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windycity Posted July 15, 2007 Report Share Posted July 15, 2007 i always use plain old bottom stain it makes the sole bright orange just like my machinery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest k@lsb Posted July 15, 2007 Report Share Posted July 15, 2007 tea bag used ............water...........glo flake.....................the nuts............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobblers Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 tea bag used ............water...........glo flake.....................the nuts............. really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auto Key Wizard Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 tea bag used ............water...........glo flake.....................the nuts............. really It'll be the perforations... 'Lets flavour flood out' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 i always use plain old bottom stain it makes the sole bright orange just like my machinery Good tip there K@lsb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted July 17, 2007 Report Share Posted July 17, 2007 Here’s my sole finishing kit! It consists of Caswell Coat-A-Sole Natural stain Ball/Caswell Glo-Fake white polish An Empty sponge shoe care applicator (for applying stain) A washing up sponge for applying polish A pen & template for waist pattern And a good old duster for a brilliant shine! Here’s my method! 1. Use the waist template to draw an accurate line on both shoes and ink and polish soles edges in the usual way. 2. Apply coat a sole using the sponge shoe care applicator 3. Whilst this is still wet apply Glo-fake using sponge. You can use the green “scouring†Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinh Posted July 17, 2007 Report Share Posted July 17, 2007 NICE PAIR OF HEELS LEE!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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