Off topic: Suggestions on dulling rivets in leather?

Kinja'd!!! "Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
10/20/2020 at 12:19 • Filed to: None

Kinja'd!!!1 Kinja'd!!! 12
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So my halloween mask came in, dieselpunk ish leather mask, and it is great... Except they used super shiny steel (stainless?) r ivets on black leather which looks more..... Bondagey than I was going for. Not kink shaming or anything, just incongruous with the rest of the costume.

So, question: what would the best way to take the shine out of these rivets be without damaging the leather?

My first thought was sanding, but I’d almost certainly damage the leather. Similarly I think paint would be in persice.

The internet suggested blueing, which seems like a faff but might be worth looking in to. Suggestions for vinegar or lemon juice to induce tarnishing was suggested too.

What does oppo think?


DISCUSSION (12)


Kinja'd!!! HoustonRunner > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/20/2020 at 12:21

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Use painters tape (or similar) to protect the leather then sand.


Kinja'd!!! DipodomysDeserti > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/20/2020 at 12:29

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Fine steel wool. Much more precise than sandpaper and should easily wear away the plating. Also, unless is patent leather (‘sup leather daddy) it shouldn’t mar it noticeably. I sometimes use is on new motorcycle parts to make them look a bit more period correct.


Kinja'd!!! CobraJoe > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/20/2020 at 12:32

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Want permanent or temporary results?

Easy and temporary: Black sharpie.  

Less easy: mask and s pray paint, or use fingernail polish in your choice of color

Most permanent: gun bluing (I’m not sure how well it will take on the unknown metal, but if it works, it will be almost completely scratch resistant. Also, I’m not sure how difficult it will be to keep out of the leather).


Kinja'd!!! jminer > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/20/2020 at 12:33

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Use one of these to blue the rivets . They’re only a couple bucks and available in most gun shops or on Amazon.  Not sure if it’ll work on stainless, but does on uncoated metal.

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Kinja'd!!! Chariotoflove > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/20/2020 at 12:33

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Saucy costume.


Kinja'd!!! CobraJoe > jminer
10/20/2020 at 12:43

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I didn’t know these existed, and now I think I really need one.  


Kinja'd!!! jminer > CobraJoe
10/20/2020 at 12:48

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I’ve got a couple of them and they’re awesome.  They get used more than I thought they would.  Looks like sharpie at first, but then blends in fairly well for a repair.


Kinja'd!!! Just Jeepin' > jminer
10/20/2020 at 13:39

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Sometime when you’re bored and you use it, show us before/after photos.


Kinja'd!!! If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/20/2020 at 14:33

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I’m judging  _


Kinja'd!!! jminer > Just Jeepin'
10/20/2020 at 15:04

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I’m in the middle of packing my house but if I see something that I can blue I will do so.


Kinja'd!!! jminer > Just Jeepin'
10/20/2020 at 15:56

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Quick and dirty post made as requested!


Kinja'd!!! Snuze: Needs another Swede > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/20/2020 at 16:10

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One follow up to jminer’s comment, try to figure out if they are stainless or not. A simple trick is stainless is non-magnetic. Regular bluing won’t work on stainless, there’s a different formulation for that.