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Post by dukesarcher1190 on Oct 11, 2020 23:45:25 GMT
I'd like to keep the style of grip on my sword, but I want to change the colour from black to dark green. Is it simply a case of sanding down the grip and applying a green leather dye, or do I need to a completely new grip?
Thanks!
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Post by MOK on Oct 12, 2020 0:20:55 GMT
I'd try cotton wool and acetone instead of sand paper.
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Post by Jordan Williams on Oct 12, 2020 7:01:09 GMT
Don't use acetone on leather. If it's dyed, you'll need to restart. If it's paint, like non leather paint, you might be able to get a decent off just via rough handling or something like rubbing alcohol used carefully and conditioning the leather afterwords.
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LeMal
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Posts: 1,085
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Post by LeMal on Oct 12, 2020 8:09:34 GMT
Just do a re-wrap. If you find thin enough leather in the color you want you can even do it right over the existing leather.
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kaiyo
Member
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Post by kaiyo on Oct 12, 2020 11:50:15 GMT
If i read that correctly you just want to change the color of the leathergrip ? You dont need to re-wrap or something like that, just cover up the fittings and apply some leather paint. Worked for me all the time without removing the previous dye/paint. Key is to properly cover up the fitting (with some tape or something similar).
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Post by dukesarcher1190 on Oct 12, 2020 17:19:39 GMT
Thanks for all the suggestions! I've removed the entire leather grip now anyway due to a wobble in the handle that I am trying to fix. It looks like I may even need to rasp away the wooden handle if I cant get it sorted. The pommel is peened and I cant get it off any other way.
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Post by joe_meadmaker on Oct 12, 2020 17:31:12 GMT
If i read that correctly you just want to change the color of the leathergrip ? You dont need to re-wrap or something like that, just cover up the fittings and apply some leather paint. Worked for me all the time without removing the previous dye/paint. Key is to properly cover up the fitting (with some tape or something similar). That's fascinating. I never heard of doing that. When you've done this before, did you use any kind of finishing coat? Or just paint the leather and be done with it?
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kaiyo
Member
Posts: 1,201
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Post by kaiyo on Oct 12, 2020 18:21:29 GMT
i just used leather paint, easy as f*ck
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Post by dukesarcher1190 on Oct 12, 2020 23:00:42 GMT
What thickness of leather should I use for the grip? I've found a good supplier of cheap leather in the colour I want, but I'm sure of what thickness to go for.
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Oct 13, 2020 13:50:58 GMT
A word of caution if wrapping over existing material. Whatever you use and however thin it may seem will increase the original grip size. What may appear to be thin before wrapping will make the grip larger than you may think. Just FYI.
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Post by illustry on Oct 13, 2020 14:51:54 GMT
If you sand down your leather it will turn it into nubuck and not be waterproof. you'll sand off the outer, tanned hide. And chances are good the color on the outside is also on the inside, so sanding would accomplish nothing.
I agree with Kaiyo who says just paint it. Clean it real good, like 50/50 alcohol water, lightly, then just paint it with some acrylic or special leather paint, which i think is also just acrylic. let it cure and it will be fairly durable.
I have something I put a white wrap on, and as you'd expect, white doesn't hold up to abuse well, so I have some acrylic that I've touched it up with, and it works and blends great.
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Post by illustry on Oct 13, 2020 14:58:30 GMT
What thickness of leather should I use for the grip? I've found a good supplier of cheap leather in the colour I want, but I'm sure of what thickness to go for. I have used this shop a few times. Comes in all kinds of colors. Get the thin, .6mm ones like this.
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Post by dukesarcher1190 on Oct 13, 2020 18:35:43 GMT
What thickness of leather should I use for the grip? I've found a good supplier of cheap leather in the colour I want, but I'm sure of what thickness to go for. I have used this shop a few times. Comes in all kinds of colors. Get the thin, .6mm ones like this.
Nice leather. What type of glue would you recommend?
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Post by illustry on Oct 13, 2020 18:59:03 GMT
I have used this shop a few times. Comes in all kinds of colors. Get the thin, .6mm ones like this.
Nice leather. What type of glue would you recommend? Use Fieblings leather cement from Hobby Lobby, Michaels, etc. Same stuff as Tandy Eco Flo, cheap and available locally. Don't use Elmers or Titebond as they will corrode your steel fittings as they dry. Clear gorilla glue is a nice option and doesn't corrode but it is a mother to remove if you eventually redo it. Hide glue is another good option and won't corrode, and is what Albion uses.
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Post by joe_meadmaker on Oct 29, 2020 12:52:35 GMT
If i read that correctly you just want to change the color of the leathergrip ? You dont need to re-wrap or something like that, just cover up the fittings and apply some leather paint. Worked for me all the time without removing the previous dye/paint. Key is to properly cover up the fitting (with some tape or something similar). Holy cow kaiyo! Thanks for posting the leather paint idea! I didn't know such a thing existed. I got a couple bottles of leather paint from Angelus, just picked them up on Etsy. Last night was my first test. I'm completely amazed. I'm painting over black leather, and after several coats the leather just looks like the new color. If I didn't know, I would never believe it started as black. I did use their Preparer and Deglazer on the grip first. But again, I'm amazed how well this is working. I don't quite have the color I'd like, so I ordered another bottle. Once I have the sword grips done I'll post some photos. Just wanted to put out another recommendation for leather paint if someone only wants to change the color of a grip.
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kaiyo
Member
Posts: 1,201
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Post by kaiyo on Oct 29, 2020 13:09:03 GMT
yeah its very easy, most people think they need to rewrap just because of a new color - dont, save the money...
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