The Chainlink

Shellac on leather?

I'm gonna put shellac on my cork grips today and I was wondering if I could do the same to my leather mudguards? I'm guessing it would be ok. The color on the flaps is slightly lighter than my Brooks Honey B17 so I'm hoping a single coat or two will do the job. 

 

Any advice on how long I should wait in between coats and how thick or thin I should apply the layers? 

 

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Permalink Reply by Brendan Kevenides on May 2, 2011 at 9:18am
Looks great Ryan!  I see you got those new pedals.  I have the same ones on my fixed gear.  I love 'em.
Permalink Reply by Ryan L on May 2, 2011 at 1:47pm

I love these pedals Brendan. Ended up getting two pairs off Amazon for the price of one so I put 'em on both Masi's. They take some getting used to on the fixed but I really like the fact I can put on my sandals for a quick trip to the beer store without getting all geared up. 

 

There is still a lot I want to do to this bike but I'm gonna wait till I wear down the components I want to replace. I might end up down the road replacing the Tiagra with 105 all around. I really don't like how bulky the Tiagra shifters are and I don't need to see what gear I'm in. I'm also gonna build some wheels using Velocity A23's in White (hoping they make a 36 hole version) and maybe a dynamo hub up front. 

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on May 2, 2011 at 1:53pm
The bike looks great. To each his own, but I think white rims would be a mistake. 

Ryan L said:

[Snip] I'm also gonna build some wheels using Velocity A23's in White (hoping they make a 36 hole version) and maybe a dynamo hub up front. 

Permalink Reply by Ryan L on May 2, 2011 at 1:56pm
I've been called mad before :)
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on May 3, 2011 at 2:48pm
That turned out well.  Looks great!
Permalink Reply by Dr. Doom on May 4, 2011 at 12:18pm

Bike looks great! What kind/color of bar tape is that? I just grabbed a honey Brooks for a new bike and I'm thinking about some matching tape, but not sure what gets Brooks-like results after the shellac is on.

 

Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on May 4, 2011 at 12:20pm
What model pedals are those Ryan?
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on May 4, 2011 at 12:23pm

Amber shellac on cork looks pretty darn close to the honey brooks.  

 

If you have a tiny bit extra tape I'd experiment on small swatches.  You can use ordinary wood stain onto the item before the shellac to get it darker or add special shellac color crystals directly to the shellac itself.  Either way a little bit of experimentation will be necessary.  When you throw shellac or stain on any natural fiber product the result isn't always very predictable if it is something new you haven't shellacked before.

Permalink Reply by Ryan L on May 4, 2011 at 2:29pm

Doom: It's just plain cork tape. 

Ryan: Shimano A530. Got 'em on Amazon for $50 a pair. Normally $100.

 

I learned a lesson this first time round. I should have diluted the Shellac with some denatured alcohol a bit and washed off the brush with it after each coat. I put the brush in a plastic bag between coats but I think the shellac gummed up a bit more and more each time I added a coat and that's why the flaps look so shitty. I'm gonna wipe 'em down and start over when I have the time.

 

Permalink Reply by Ryan L on May 4, 2011 at 2:33pm
I'm also thinking about an old project I did in 5th grade where our teacher (who was a vietnam war vet) had us wrap a glass bottle with masking tape and then rub shoe polish on it to give it a leathery look; of course, instead I will use shellac. I'm going to use this technique on the front fender to rack bolt and maybe as accents on the rear rack. If it looks like shit I can just remove it without any harm. Should be a fun little project.
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on May 4, 2011 at 2:59pm
Maybe use hemp twine.  Wrap it around and around very tightly or even use double-sided tape under the twine to help keep it down before the shellac dries on it.  Looks wonderful when it is done.  I did it a few places on my bike.  Hemp twine can be bought at JoAnn's for a couple bux.
Permalink Reply by Franco on May 4, 2011 at 8:09pm
Nice bike Masi Ryan, I would definitely build those white velocity rims on that bike, put that pep in your step.

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