How to choose the right tool for leather edge dyeing · HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR LEATHER EDGE DYEING THE COMMONS TOOLS The ROLLER DYE PEN The ROLLER DYE TOOL It is perhaps

How to choose the right tool for leather edge dyeing

Written by: GIARDINI GROUP | @GiardiniGroup

Guide to hand applicators for leather edge paint.

� � HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR LEATHER EDGE DYEING � SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION What is the difference between hand application and machine application?

THE COMMON TOOLS Which are the most common tools for leather edge hand painting?The Sponge The Rod The Roller Dye Pen The Roller Dye Tool Which tool should I choose for hand painting?Pros and Cons of the tools for hand leather edge painting

USE AND MAINTENANCE OF HAND PAINTING TOOLS How should I use the tools for leather edge painting?Tips for use How should I clean the tools for leather edge painting?The ordinary cleaning What happen if I break a part of the tools?The spare parts

LEATHER EDGE PAINTING TOOLS SUGGESTED BY GIARDINI

� � HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR LEATHER EDGE DYEING � INTRODUCTION

IntroductionTo achieve a perfect finish of the leather edge you should keep in your mind two fundamental factors: the type of paint and the type of application.

In order to properly choose what to use you must have a knowledge of what there is available on the market, how it can (and should) be used and what are the advantages and disadvantages for each individual tools for leather edge hand painting. The final choice will then be made to suiting your needs and determined by the type of product you are working on.

The guide is being pursued to provide a clear overview of the most common tools and their features.

You are ready? Let's start!

� � HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR LEATHER EDGE DYEING � INTRODUCTION

What is the difference between hand application and machine application?The choice of the type of application (by hand or by machine) usually must be performed upstream and is determined by the following factors:

• the type of product you will working on;

• the quality of finish that you want to achieve;

• the time that you have available for the item production (in case of industrial production);

For every item you will working on, being it a belt, a purse, a wallet, a key ring, you will have to deal with different geometry. Angles and very pronounced curves are hardly achievable with the use of automatic machines.

In the hand-application of the quality of finish is largely influenced by the experience and manual skills of those who work, however skilled craftsmen (or even major industry brands) prefer the hand-application because if well performed it allows the best quality.

Normally in case of a very large production the hand-application will require a greater number of hours of work, however, this factor must be assessed according to your needs.

� � HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR LEATHER EDGE DYEING � THE COMMONS TOOLS

The Commons Tools


Which are the most commons tools for leather edge hand painting?

The sponge is perhaps the most popular tool among the leather crafters, because of its easy availability and its low cost. However it is not a very easy tool to be used as it requires a great experience by the operator, and turns out to be uncomfortable when found ourselves faced with particular curves or very tight corners. In these cases the operator is forced to change the sponge shape and size, almost becoming a sculptor to model his instrument and make it suitable to the piece that he is painting. The sponge usually should be selected according to its consistency, in order to have a moderate absorption and a gradual release of the paint.

Some leather crafters prefer to use a rod for the leather edge paint hand-application. The rod can be of different materials, depending on what is available, it can sometimes also be used the back side of a paint brush. It allows high accuracy on very tight corners or hard to reach, but being a little handy tool when you are in front of large items or anyway with very large surface areas.

The SPONGE The ROD


The ROLLER DYE PEN The ROLLER DYE TOOL

It is perhaps one of the most used tools for painting leather edges by hand application, as it is one of the best compromise between cost and performance. It allows to apply the leather edge paint almost on all types leather goods items, in a quick and precise way. It needs no special maintenance, just a good attention in cleaning the pen during and after use, and his life is definitely long lasting. There are different types and different costs, between one and the other could find differences in the materials used, and especially on a ball system for rotating the tip. Some of them are also equipped with replacement parts in case you want to replace the head.

It is one of the latest tools presented on the market of leather craftsmen. This manual instrument fairly well simulates the type of processing of an automatic machine, allowing an application also fairly accurate over a very large surface, in a quick way. Because the paint is poured into the tank, the main advantage that you notice during its use is to not have too frequent need to pick up the paint all the time, but it will fill the tank when finished. It requires great care during cleaning, because if not performed correctly (especially on the roller), day by day the remaining paint deposits can affect its proper operation. The cost is still contained and the new support (optional part) make it even easier and comfortable its use.


PROS AND CONS OF THE TOOLS FOR LEATHER EDGE HAND PAINTING

TOOL PROS CONS The choice of the tool for leather edge hand painting is a very subjective choice, and mainly depends on what type of work needs to be done, what are the deadlines to be met in an item, but especially what is your manual ability.

It’s advisable to have at your disposal more than one type of hand-application tool, because different processes can be completed by different tools. In principle, the costs for the purchase of the hand-application tools are all quite content, so a leather crafter can keep in his lab all of the most common tools, and use from time to time the most suitable one, or the one with whom you feel most comfortable with.

Sponge - easy to find; - moldable depending on your needs; - very low cost;

- not usable for more than one session; - difficult to use in case of very tight curves and

corners; - not practical for very long processes; - requires experience and manual skill;

Rod - different objects may be adapted to replace him;

- very accurate for application on particular items;

- easy to clean;

- not practical for use on large surfaces; - not suitable for very long processes; - processing is very long;

Roller Dye Pen - very practical for the application on any kind of items;

- quick in the use even on larger areas; - It allows a good precision even in case of

difficult geometries; - easy to clean;

- it requires manual ability for use;

Roller Dye Tool - It does not need a continuous pickup of paint;

- very practical for the application on the surface of both small and extended;

- accessories was available for processing;

- does not permit application of very tight turns; - it needs particular attention during the cleaning

phase;

Which tool should I choose for the leather edge hand painting?

� � HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR LEATHER EDGE DYEING � USE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE TOOLS

Use and Maintenance of

Hand Painting Tools


USE OF THE HAND PAINTING TOOLS

What precautions should I take when using the hand application tools?

Generally there are no special precautions to be taken when using the tools for hand application, contrary to what occurs in the use of automatic machinery for the application. We recommend you to always wear protective gloves as you manipulate paint.

How it is used the sponge?

The sponge should be used dipping it into the paint, possibly by removing excess paint accumulated and using it to transfer the paint to the surface of the leather edge.

How it is used the rod?

The method of use is almost identical to the sponge. Employing the rod has the advantage of an easier application in corners and tight bends.

How it is used the Roller Dye Pen?

The principle is the same as the sponge. It dips the tip of the Roller Dye Pen into the paint, this can also be taken directly from the bottle without the need to employ other containers. The rotating of the pen’s head facilitates the application on the leather edge, making it uniform, and the operation can be repeated several times.

How it is used the Roller Dye Tool?

First of all, the paint must be poured inside the tank, in sufficient quantities, indicatively for about half the volume of the tank, then manually rotate the roller in order to cover it with the paint. At this point, we proceed to the application of the paint, taking the edge to be dyed with hands and proceeding to slide on the roller so that the paint is transferred on the leather edge. For very long articles it can also be employed support for the roller machine that keeps it elevated from the table and ease the application of this type of articles.


TIPS

When using the roller dye pen always keep near you a glass containing water (or cleaner), and in the breaks of your work let the pen to soak. This will prevent the paint dries quickly, and then you can easily remove it with a cloth or paper towel before resuming the colouring of your leather edge.

MAINTENANCE OF THE HAND APPLICATION TOOLS

What products should I use to clean the hand application tools?

The cleaning of a tool depends on the type of paint that is used. The old solvent-based paints require the use of thinner or gasoline for perfect cleaning of the instruments. If you use the new water-based paints cleaning it can be done simply using water. Alternatively, you can use a mixture of water and alcohol (in the ratio 1:1) or the specific cleaners, also water-based with inside a surface-active agent that helps ease the operator during the cleaning phase.

Can I clean the sponge?

Unfortunately the sponge is generally not reusable. Precisely for its characteristics (and for the low cost), its use is limited in time. Once the paint dries in the sponge it becomes unusable.

How can I clean the rod?

The rod is definitely the easiest to clean, simply use a cloth or paper to remove the paint from the wand.

How can I clean the Roller Dye Pen?

For quick and easy cleaning of the Roller Dye Pen it is good to avoid the paint to dry completely on its rotating head. When the paint is still wet is simply removed using a wet cloth or paper, the aid may also be specific cleaners. In the case in which the paint is completely dry it is good to soak the Roller Dye Pen for a few hours and then proceeds to the removal of residues, with the aid of a brush with hard bristles.


MAINTENANCE OF THE HAND APPLICATION TOOLS

How do I clean the Roller Dye Tool?

The cleaning operation of the roller machine is definitely longer than the previous instruments. First you have to remove the roller from the machine, and provide to empty the tank from any residual paint. Then proceeds to the cleaning of the individual parts: the tank can be easily cleaned using a wet cloth, about the roller you can proceed to the cleaning with the aid of a brush with hard bristles wet with water or with a liquid special cleaner. In case it proves difficult to remove the residues of paint, let the individual parts to soak in the liquid cleaner for a few hours and repeat the cleaning process.

TIPS

When you empty the bowl of the paint, we recommend you not pour it into the original bottle but use another container, to avoid polluting the original paint with possible early deterioration.

SPARE PARTS AND ACCESSORIES FOR HAND APPLICATION TOOLS

What happens if I break the roller dye pen?

The applicator pen is a quite robust tool, are therefore very rare cases of breaking. However some roller dye pens also provide for the possibility to replace the head of the pen with a spare.

Are there any spare parts for the roller dye tool?

For the roller dye tool are available as spare parts is the blade for the adjustment of the paint (which being plastic may be subject to chipping), and the roller parts.

The roller dye tool is a little uncomfortable for the application on the bags handles and on the belts, does exists any support?

Just to facilitate the implementation of more complex items, there is a telescopic support which allows you to adjust the height at which you can position the roller dye tool from your working table.

� � HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR LEATHER EDGE DYEING � GIARDINI HAND APPLICATION TOOLS

GIARDINI Hand Application

Tools


The SPONGE

TECHNICAL FEATURES

Dimensions : 60 x 20 x h.15 mm Material : High Density PU Foam Weight : 5 gr.

The sponge used for leather edge dyeing is usually a high density PU sponge. It’s quite cheaper and allow you to paint almost any kind of leather item. The shape has been chosen to allow you the most comfortable dimension for paint leather edge. It is available in 25 pieces box.


The ROLLER DYE PEN

TECHNICAL FEATURES

Dimensions : 60 x 20 x h.15 mm Material : Aluminium and Brass Weight : 5 gr.

The roller dye pen is made from an aluminium handle and a brass rotating head. It allows to easily apply the leather edge paint on your prototypes with good accuracy, in order to achieve a very precise edge finishing. We recommend cleaning the brass head at the end of employment, for this you can use fresh water or our special cleaner. Always keep the head well clean, will ensure a long life.


The ROLLER DYE TOOL

TECHNICAL FEATURES

Dimensions : 110 x 60 x h. 58 mm Materials : Body and Roller in Aluminum Blade in Plastic Weight : 360 gr.

The roller dye tool is completely builded in alluminium with CAD/CAM process. It is composed by a knurled roller and a basic support that can be easily filled by the edge paint. The knurling on the roller perfectly simulated the machine application of the paint, and the quantity of the paint can be ajusted by the two screw regulators. Once you finished to apply the paint the knurled roller can be removed from the basic support and both can be easily cleaned using fresh water. The aluminum alloy avoids any type of oxidation of the tool increasing its lifetime.


Accessories and Spare Parts

SUPPORT FOR ROLLER DYE TOOLTECHNICAL FEATURE

Dimensions : 110 x 60 x h. 58 mm Material : Corpo in Alluminio Weight : 360 gr.

The support for the roller dye tool is designed to facilitate the use of this tool during the application on long items (eg. Handles, Belts, etc.) and/or to allow the operator to maintain an upright posture more comfortable, avoiding unnecessary fatigue during extended work phases. It consists of a telescopic arm with two settings to set the working height, and a basis on which the roller machine should be positioned.


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BLADE AND ROLLER FOR ROLLER DYE TOOL CLEANER FOR HAND PAINTING TOOLS

Accessories and Spare Parts

� � HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR LEATHER EDGE DYEING �

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Documents

How to choose the right tool for leather edge dyeing · HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR LEATHER EDGE DYEING THE COMMONS TOOLS The ROLLER DYE PEN The ROLLER DYE TOOL It is perhaps