Painting saddle?

[El C]

Done it?
Any success?
How did you do it and what did you use to do it?

 

[Captain Awesome]

Done it?
Any success?
How did you do it and what did you use to do it?

@OddJob

 

[OddJob]

Hey @el, I've painted saddles a couple of times. Used a 100% acrylic paint, kind that comes in a tube. Rubbed it on with a rag. These were saddles that I had recovered with various types of vinyl from the fabric store. So not a stock production saddle covering.

The acrylic does wear off gradually over time. I never did try to seal that with a clear of any kind. But for a rat rod bike I didn't mind.

I also used Flex Seal on a couple saddles,yeah, the black stuff that seals and protects everything under the sun. I did spray that with a matte clear, and it held up well. Very durable.

 

[RustyGold]

Current painted saddle:

'61 Tornado

@John DelGato

 

[RustySprockets]

I've used VHT vinyl dye on car upholstery in the past and it held up for decades without any fading or peeling. It sprays on just like paint and I had no trouble going from a lighter color to darker (the reverse might not work as well). Other manufacturers offer what I presume is a similar product.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

@kingfish254 painted his seat with checkerboard pattern

Holy moly, his build thread already has like 20 pages to sift through!

 

[kingfish254]

I'm assuming you are asking about painting leather or vinyl seats. The checkerboard one above is a painted metal seatpan. I've done that on my Flexy and Firewing builds too. But I've never painted an upholstered saddle yet.

 

[El C]

Well, I decided not to paint but make a new skin on it. I have an old leather coat that can serve as a doner. I may use parts of to make a saddle bag also.

 

[RustySprockets]

There ya' go! As coincidence has it, I'm currently 'skinning' a leather-covered ottoman to fulfill the same purpose. If the cover begins to bunch up around the curves, just remember that little V-notches can be your new best friend.

 

[El C]

Yeah and in this case soaking the leather in water will make it easier to handle.

 

[kingfish254]

I used a pleather jacket sleeve to cover a nanner seat last year.

 

[RustySprockets]

I once thought about moistening the leather, then putting the whole assembly inside one of those vacuum sealer bag things. I never got my hands on one of the pumps, tho.

 

[Duchess]

I've painted a Brooks B68 (red), B17 and matching leather backrest I just made, and a Cardiff version of a B17 (turquoise) using Angelus leather paint. It's easy and is probably as durable as a factory job. A small bottle will easily take care of a saddle, maybe even three. You'll want to remove any existing finish using leather deglazer (which is mostly acetone) and maybe sand it a little so the paint can soak in deeper.

 

[El C]

Decided not to paint, made new with leather. Still some stiching to do but it 'll be Ok.

 

[RustySprockets]

That turned out pretty dang sweet. And, I like the tractor seat, too!

 

[El C]

That turned out pretty dang sweet. And, I like the tractor seat, too!

It'll be better with the stitching...