Engraving Leather using "blue" masking tape to cover the leather

[Roger Lueck]

Has anybody used the "blue" masking tape to cover a leather surface before engraving? I used this material and while it kept the smoke and other debris off the leather, it is a pain to remove. Does any one have a "positive experience" involving removing blue masking tape from leather?

[Joe Pelonio]

The blue tape adhesive becomes stronger than regular adhesive when you burn through it. Try using high tack transfer tape (paper type, not clear). Sign supplies sell it in various widths or even custom cut, but 2" is usually a standard size.

[Mike Null]

I usually use a clear wax such as Johnson's paste wax for floors. I haven't tried it on blue but it works on black, brown and tan leathers. You should be able to clean the residue with a damp rag.

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[Vicki Rivrud]

Thanks Mike, that's a great tip!

May sound silly - Is this the wax in the big yellow can? I've tried looking for it before for another tip but at our Home Depot doesn't say floor wax on the can.

[Mike Null]

Vicki

Yes, both Johnsons and Minwax make it but you want to be sure to get natural or light as opposed to dark.

I just checked mine and it is Minwax natural. It is called "paste finishing wax". (I think my original can was marked floor wax)

I have made and engraved several pieces using this wax and one of them, a box I made for my wife, is more than ten years old and looks like new.

[Dan Hintz]

I've tried looking for it before for another tip but at our Home Depot doesn't say floor wax on the can.

It was quite hard to find at my store, and not quite in the place I expected. If memory serves, it was in the aisle next to the lawnmowers, grills, etc. Other cleaning products were there, but a single stripe of yellow cans is easy to lose amidst all of the other products.

[Kev Williams]

I engrave (what will be) leather motorcycle seats, black, white, raw, various oiled-tanned shades, and all me or the shop does is wipe them off with a bath towel. Never had a "goo" problem. Personally, I'd be afraid to use wax on any of the leather I engrave...

[Mark Sipes]

What about saddle soap for leather... Personally I use Pledge furniture polish. thinner layer of wax / protectorant.

[Mike Chance in Iowa]

It also depends upon what type of leather you are engraving. Deerskin & pigskin, for example, are quite a bit different then cowhide. Wax would work better on the surface of cowhide.

[Ernest Kerr]

Please explain how the wax is used. The first post concerned the tack of blue tape.

[Mike Null]

Ernest

The wax idea was offered as an alternative to the blue painter's tape. In my experience I found that the painter's tape can sometimes damage the surface of the leather.

Mike Chance makes a good point as the wax cannot be used with all leathers.

[Roger Lueck]

Thank you for all the alternatives. However, the problem I have isn't solved (if there is a solution). The "gist" of my original question was; Does anyone have a solution to removing blue painters tape from leather? ie Is there something (alcohol, acetone, lacquer thinner, etc.) that will cause blue painters tape "adhesive" to release from leather permitting easy removal without damaging the leather?

[Bill Cunningham]

Thank you for all the alternatives. However, the problem I have isn't solved (if there is a solution). The "gist" of my original question was; Does anyone have a solution to removing blue painters tape from leather? ie Is there something (alcohol, acetone, lacquer thinner, etc.) that will cause blue painters tape "adhesive" to release from leather permitting easy removal without damaging the leather?

You might try warming it up with a heat gun to soften the glue..I use heavytack transfer tape, and sometimes pastewax.. The pastwax goes a long way, I have one can here that is still good that was aquired as a half can from someone else in 1969 It's probably circa 1960-65. If you keep it tightly closed, it may last forever

[David Somers]

Roger,

i normally remove tape residue from things with mineral spirits or acetone. An orange cleaner might work as well. Particularly the gunk remover type that is available for removing stubborn adhesives. I have never tried this on leather though.

Before you go that route i might use lexol leather cleaner and see if that worked. At least it wont harm the leather. Once you get that stuff off successfully though i think most of the crew here is suggesting you would be better served by changing masking methods for your next leather project if possible. Avoid the problem altogether?

[Mike Chance in Iowa]

Thank you for all the alternatives. However, the problem I have isn't solved (if there is a solution). The "gist" of my original question was; Does anyone have a solution to removing blue painters tape from leather? ie Is there something (alcohol, acetone, lacquer thinner, etc.) that will cause blue painters tape "adhesive" to release from leather permitting easy removal without damaging the leather?

You don't state what type of leather it is. Depending upon what type of leather you engraved, many types of cleaners will cause staining or damage the leather.