Each time, while writing the pure leather posts, I try to tackle a problem I have or had in the past. Today it will be all about edge paint. Any question I’ve ever had, will I answer the best I can. Though if you are an expert on this matter please correct me or give an addition! Love to learn even more. Alright, let’s start.
What is edge paint?
It is really straight forward, it is paint for the edges. There are different techniques to finish the edges, such as binding, burnishing or edge painting. As you might know by now, it is very important to ‘close’ and ‘seal’ the edges of leather and protect them from dirt and liquids. But to tell you in which cases you use which technique, we might as well answer the next question.
Why do you use edge paint?
As stated above you use it for the protection of the edges. But why do you choose edge paint when you can burnish is natural, with its own fibres just with some heat and friction. Well, if you just started out with leather craft you probably stick to one kind of leather. If you continue, you might want to experiment a bit and you will experience the difference between all the types of leather. The next thing you will discover is the different properties and that not all of them burnish that well; especially the thin and stretchy types of leather. Those will be the ones to apply paint on. Besides the practical part, they use it often in the ‘luxury’ or ‘high end’ leather production, such as on the bags of Hèrmes. It gives a clean, straight and even looks to all the edges. Another reason might be the ‘design’ aspect of edge paint. You are able to create edge paint in any colour you like. With the knowledge of that fact is it possible to create matching or contrasting edges with bold colours!
What kind of edge paint is there?
When we talk about edge paint, it is possible to make a rough division between two types of edge paint; heatable and unheatable. Unheatable is painted, layer by layer while you sand any irregularities down in between the layers. The heatable type of edge paint can be used with a ‘fileteuse’ or any other hot smoothening tool. Any irregularities can be ‘ironed’ flat before you apply the next layer.
Besides these two types of layers, is there a big difference between manufacturers. At this moment I have tried two of them but hope to try some more and experiment until I have found my preference. A few well-known manufacturers are Vernice edge paint, Giardini group and Stahl.
By now you know the basics of edge paint and might already be trying to make it perfect. If you are still lost by now…; next week, I continue about mixing colours and how to apply it! Good luck and stay tuned for much more! P.S. Just to be clear, this post isn’t sponsored. Though if you like to try edge paint, at the Giardini group you can try their paint for free, only postal costs. Best of all is, the test bottles aren’t small!
Leave a Reply