Page 18 - May2008

May 2008 THE NATIONAL BUTTOn BULLETIN 71

DECORATIVE FINISH (OF)

Raw/unfinished leather has no topical pigment applied. It may have a minimal
protective resin coating. Hides are immersed in organic non-protective aniline dye
which absorbs into the leather and accentuates the natural skin patterns. To test
your button to determine if it is unfinished (dye only) you can conduct a simple
water drop test. Unfinished leather will result in the test area absorbing the water
drop and darkening. Unfinished leather will also have a "buttery" feel. Finished
leather resists staining from water and oil-based agents. A water drop on finished
leather will stay above the surface and will not soak in or darken the leather.
• Paint Usually acrylic, this most common coloring remains on the surface and
is not absorbed into the body (like dye). These usually have an additional clear
urethane coating for added durability. The clear coat creates a film that bonds
to the surface for wear, stain and fade resistance. Clear coat resin sealers have a
reflectivity range from high gloss to matte and dull depending on how much
dulling agent is added .
• Patent leather - This high gloss, typically black finish is
usually achieved with a plastic coating. The original
process was developed by Newark, New Jersey-based
inventor Seth Boyden in 1818 with commercial manu
facture beginning September 20,1819. His process used
a linseed oil-based lacquer coating.
• Dye - Coloring that penetrates into the body of the leather.
Patent leather
MECHANICAL MAKE-UP

• Inlay/inset of other materials.
• Laminated - two or more layers of leather glued together to form
a thickness.
• Mechanical/movable
• Leather with leather - binding (without
gl ue) two or more layers of leather together to
Mounted in metal cinquefoil
form a thickness, typically sewn
or laced.

MOUNTED INION METAL

• Backgrounds

mounted in metal