Any painters out there? (leatherworking)

[The Lost Celt]

So I've cut 300 lamellar plates, punched, edged, and added a border (line tool, forget what it's called) And am currently dying the rest black.

Has anyone else done this? It's a pain in the *!

Anyhow was thinking of adding something to the lines to make them stick, considering flat black doesn't leave much room for contrast before I WAX HARDEN the buggers, either silver type gilding or metallic paints, I've thought of using a pen but I want something I can hopefully wipe on/wipe off and let the paint fill in the cracks, Was hoping somene here who knows their paints can give me some advice on what to use, something tells me oil is a bad idea and I dunno how acrylic will react under 180 wax, but I'm sure there's someone out there who knows more than me on that stuff.

I also plan on using metallic beading wire in stainless to add to this effect but worse comes to worse I can go pewter with grey lacings

Anyhow any advice would be appreciated

Fodder

[V]

I've never used it on leather... but there is this stuff called Bonanza - gold or silver- it's a filling kit for guns. I've used it on wood, stone and bone and it's done great - very heat tolerant. If you go for paints... not much can damage true acrylic once it's completly dry. (Not that t-shirt paint crap) But I've never seen silver acrylic in the artist's paint section. 'Course I've never really looked for it - I'm more of an oil painting gal.

[Maquenta]

check a local art supply store/craft store for true acrylic paint that is silver. Or a hardware store. I know you can get it, but I don't know where.

[Stitch]

Hardware stores work. I got silver acrylic from an ACE. It comes in a little jar- not too expensive. It says it works well on just about anything . I've used it on metal, wood and fabric, so I would assume that it would work on leather too. Good luck.

[Loptr]

My colors are black and silver.

On my belt I have put my name in FUTHARK runes in silver.

I have had outstanding success with one of those silver paint pens.
No cracking, peeling, flaking.

Loptr

[Calarn the Black]

I've painted the edges of my armour before, however you need to use multiple layers; one layer of paint will scrape off quickly from wear and tear.
Oh, and I'd also suggest acrylic or, if there's a Leather Factory outlet near you, there is a such thing as leather paint.

[Soo Ma Tai]

Acrylic paint is somewhat flexible, and will last a long time, though you will eventually get some cracking if the individual pieces bend very much. I used acrtlics on my armor and everyone says it looks great. As far as the heat goes, 180 degree wax wont hurt it in the least.

[Tobin]

Silver and gold leafing can be a pain in the *, but looks great--it's basically uberthin sheet metal that gets glued on to a surface, and then the excess metal flakes off and leaves the design. Never used it on leather, but it's worked on flex plastics, stiffened canvas, wood and plaster. I know you can get kits at Michael's/Hobby Lobby-type stores.

Good luck!

[megs]

all the above mentioned work fairly well

you can also try:
Testors brand model paint (any place that sells model kits)
Metallic Spray Paint (test on a scrap first, some work, some don't)

there's a Tandy/Leather factory in Columbus & a Tandy in Cleveland (Leather Factoy owns Tandy, and I am a sla...uh...employee to the corporation known as Tandy Leather Factory)

[Judas]

Don?t know how well it will hold up under the heat but there is a wax-based paint called ?Rub and Buff? (he he ha). It?s made for antiquing picture fames and stuff like that. It comes in silver, pewter, about 5 different golds and bronze.
BTW. You might consider putting the color on after hardening, then you could use pretty much whatever you want.